Encapsulation of Azotobacter vinelandii ATCC 12837 in Alginate-Na Beads as a Tomato Seedling Inoculant.

Encapsulation is an immobilization method characterized by restricting microbial cells to a delimited area while preserving their metabolic viability. This technique represents an alternative to improve the adaptive capacity of bacteria in the face of interactions with native microorganisms and environmental factors that limit their inoculation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Azotobacter vinelandii ATCC 12837 encapsulated in alginate-Na beads as an inoculant of tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L) seedlings. Two inoculation treatments were carried out: liquid and encapsulated, and the control without microorganisms. Physiological variables, microbial viability, and the presence of A. vinelandii were determined by qPCR. Inoculation with A. vinelandii in liquid and encapsulated form favored seedling growth. Plants with the encapsulated inoculum significantly increased germination percentage (20%), stem diameter (38%), seedling height (34%), root length (69%), NO3 concentration (41%), and Na (30%); compared to the control. Encapsulation of A. vinelandii in alginate-Na macrocapsules allowed its establishment in the rhizosphere and was corroborated by viable count and molecular methods. The viability of the bacteria was maintained for 28 days using both inoculation methods, and not detected in the control treatment.

Use of waste canola oil as a low-cost substrate for rhamnolipid production using Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Rhamnolipids are glycolipid biosurfactants that are primarily produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that have gained a great deal of interest for their numerous industrial applications and environmentally friendly properties. In this study, we explored the potential of waste canola oil as a low-cost and environmentally friendly substrate for the production of rhamnolipids by P. aeruginosa. Four different 23 full factorial designs were used to assess the effect of three independent factors on rhamnolipid production, including carbon source (canola oil and waste canola oil), nitrogen source [(NH4)2SO4 and NaNO3] and production time (7 and 14 days). The highest observed yield was 3585.31 ± 66.24 mg/L when P. aeruginosa was cultured for 14 days with 3% v/v waste canola oil and 4 g/L of NaNO3. The nitrogen source proved to be a crucial factor, as the use of NaNO3 rather than (NH4)2SO4 led to a 30-fold increase in production yield. The observed yield when waste canola oil was used was similar to, and even slightly higher than, that obtained using canola oil. Our results showed that waste canola oil has great potential for use as a carbon source for rhamnolipid production by P. aeruginosa, thus paving the way for the development of a low-cost, efficient, and environmentally friendly bioprocess for the production of rhamnolipids.

Conocimiento etnobotánico sobre el uso de plantas medicinales en la Sierra Negra de Puebla, México / Ethnobotanical knowledge on the use of medicinal plants in the Sierra Negra de Puebla, Mexico

Medicinal plants are very useful for man and is the result of the experience that has accumulated for generations. The aim of the study was to obtain information on the use of medicinal plants used in indigenous communities of the Sierra Negra de Puebla, Mexico. A semi-structured interview was applied to 635 people; 79.5% women and 20.5% men. The use of 43 species divided into 21 families was reported. The most used families were Asteraceae (8 spp.), Lamiaceae (4 spp.) And Rutaceae (4 spp.), The species with higher frequency and use value were Matricaria recutita and Mentha piperita, the main affections treated were; stomach pain, cough and flu. The leaves were the most used (55%) the main form of preparation (30.2%) was maceration, most (65%) grow the plants in orchards. In indigenous communities, women have a preponderant role in the use of medicinal plants.

Las plantas medicinales son de gran utilidad para el hombre y es resultado de la experiencia que ha acumulado por generaciones. El objetivo del estudio fue obtener información sobre el uso de las plantas medicinales utilizadas en comunidades indígenas de la Sierra Negra de Puebla, México. Se aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada a 635 personas; 79.5% mujeres y 20.5% hombres. Se reportó el uso de 43 especies divididas en 21 familias. Las familias más utilizadas fueron Asteraceae (8 spp.), Lamiaceae (4 spp.) y Rutaceae (4 spp.), las especies con mayor frecuencia y valor de uso fueron Matricaria recutita y Mentha piperita, las principales afecciones tratadas fueron; dolor estomacal, tos y gripa. Las hojas fueron la parte más utilizada (55%) la principal forma de preparación (30.2%) fue maceración, la mayoría (65%) cultiva las plantas en huertos. En comunidades indígenas la mujer tiene un papel preponderante en el uso de las plantas medicinales.