Adriana Delgado-Alvarado

Chemotypical variation in Vanilla planifolia Jack. (Orchidaceae) from the Puebla-Veracruz Totonacapan region

One of the threats in the diversity loss of the primary gene pool of Vanilla planifolia is the lack of information on existing level of polymorphism in cultivated germplasm, and the different expressions of this polymorphism. For this reason, it is proposed to study the chemical polymorphism of the four phytochemicals that define the vanilla aroma quality in fruits (vanillin, vanillic acid, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzoic acid) by HPLC analysis (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) of 25 collections of unknown genotype, grown in the region Totonacapan Puebla-Veracruz, Mexico. The results identified a selection process, domestication in fruit aroma of vanilla, during which increased the participation of vanillin and reduced the presence of three minor compounds (vanillic acid, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and p-hydroxybenzoic acid) in the global aroma. We distinguished a total of six chemotypes of V. planifolia in the Totonacapan region, some chemotypes with wild aromatic characteristics (low participation of vanillin) related to the material less cultivated in the region and domesticated chemotypes with high participation of vanillin, for the most cultivated material. The results show that the diversification of the chemotypes of V. planifolia is not related to environmental variation. The data indicate that in the possible center of origin of vanilla, there is phytochemical polymorphism, which indirectly suggests the existence of genetic polymorphism, essential for the design of a breeding program for optimizing the use and conservation of diversity of the primary gene pool of Vanilla planifolia.

Effect of freeze-drying and production process on the chemical composition and fatty acids profile of avocado pulp

La tecnologia de liofilizacion es el mejor proceso de deshidratacion para mantener mayor vida de anaquel y conservar las propiedades nutricionales y sensoriales de la pulpa del aguacate. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si el liofilizado y condicion de produccion tienen un efecto sobre la calidad nutrimental de la pulpa de aguacate cultivado en huertas de riego y temporal. Se aplicaron 4 tratamientos: frutos de temporal no liofilizado, frutos de riego no liofilizado, frutos liofilizados de temporal y frutos liofilizados de riego. Los resultados muestran que el fruto esta compuesto por 71.39, 16 y 12.6% de pulpa, hueso y cascara respectivamente. La pulpa esta compuesta por 71.51, 19.96, 2.81, 0.51 y 1.5 % de humedad, lipidos, cenizas, fibra cruda y proteina, respectivamente. El aceite del aguacate esta constituido de 61. 18.8, 11.6 y 7% de acidos grasos oleico, palmitico, linoleico y palmitoleico, respectivamente. El liofilizado disminuyo 1.43 g/100 g de acido linoleico. Bajo condiciones de temporal se produce 4 y 13% menos grasa total y acido graso oleico que en condiciones de riego. Se concluye que la pulpa del aguacate liofilizada presenta ligeros cambios en su calidad nutrimental.

Use and conservation of Vanilla planifolia J. in the Totonacapan Region, México

The use and conservation of Vanilla planifolia Jack. in Mexico requires comprehensive and detailed analysis of its genetic variation and ofthe issues that determine it. For this reason, we studied the variation in phytochemical contents that define vanilla aroma quality by HPLC(High Performance Liquid Chromatography) to identify genetic variation at the infraspecific level among 14 microsatellite loci and to studyassessment criteria which determine the attitude of stakeholders regarding use and conservation of vanilla germplasm in the Totonacapanregion, Mexico. To this end we used the multi-attribute analysis method, AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). The results showed the existenceof six phytochemical groups (chemotypes) within V. planifolia germplasm, each with specific aromatic characteristics. The 14 loci analyzedwere polymorphic for vanilla chemotypes with variable sizes, and genetic clustering of accessions coincided with phytochemical grouping(chemotypes). It was noted that the process of economic and cultural valuation of users has caused aromatic variation in vanilla germplasm,and this variation has been conserved at the regional level. Thus, the data indicate that in the probable center of origin of vanillathere is genetic and phytochemical variation, knowledge of which is fundamental to the design of breeding programs to optimize thebenefits of vanilla production for stakeholders and to contribute to the conservation of the primary gene pool of Vanilla planifolia.

Phytoremediation assisted by mycorrhizal fungi of a Mexican defunct lead-acid battery recycling site

A field experiment was conducted during 15 months to study the effects of four arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the growth of Ricinus communis accession SF7. Plants were established on amended soil (vermicompost:sawdust:soil 1:1:1) severely polluted by lead-acid batteries (LAB) located at Mexico State, Mexico. Plants inoculated with Acaulospora sp., Funneliformis mosseae and Gigaspora gigantea had 100% survival in comparison to non-inoculated plants (57%). These same AMF enhanced palmitic and linoleic acids content in seeds of R. communis. Acaulospora sp. modified rhizosphere soil pH and decreased 3.5 folds Pb foliar concentrations while F. mosseae BEG25 decreased three times Pb soil availability in comparison to non-inoculated plants. Spatial changes in Pb soil availability were observed at the end of this research. No fungal effect on P, Ca, Cu foliar concentrations, soluble sugars, proline, chlorophyll or on the activity of two oxidative stress enzymes was observed. Mycorrhizal colonization from the inoculated fungi was between 40% and 60%, while colonization by native fungi was between 16% and 22%. A similar percentage of foliar total phenolic compounds was observed in non-mycorrhizal plants and those inoculated with G. gigantea and Acaulospora sp. This is the first research reporting effects of AMF on R. communis (castor bean) shrubs when grown on a LAB recycling site suggesting the use of Acaulospora sp. and F. mosseae BEG25 in phytostabilization to ameliorate Pb pollution and decreasing its ecological risk.

Quality of green and cured vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews) fruit in relation to its age at harvest

(Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews) fruit in relation to its age at harvest Calidad de fruto verde y beneficiado de vainilla (Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews) con relación a su edad a la cosecha Mavet Sánchez-Galindo; Ma. de Lourdes Arévalo-Galarza*; Adriana Delgado-Alvarado; Braulio Edgar Herrera-Cabrera; Cecilia Osorio-García Colegio de Postgraduados-Campus Montecillo. Carretera México-Texcoco km 36.5, Montecillo, Texcoco, México, C. P. 56230, MÉXICO. Colegio de Postgraduados-Campus Puebla. Boulevard Forjadores de Puebla núm. 25, Santiago Momoxpan, San Pedro Cholula, Puebla, C. P. 72760, MÉXICO. *Corresponding author: larevalo@colpos.mx

Beyond the traditional home garden: a circa situm conservation experience of Laelia anceps subsp. dawsonii f. chilapensis Soto-Arenas (Orchidaceae)

The conservation of orchid genetic resources in mega-diverse countries is an interdisciplinary task that requires a comprehensive theoretical framework, allowing the study of the indivisible link between cultural and biological diversity. In numerous rural regions of Mexico, over time, groups of peasants have constructed a close relationship with their natural environment permitting the development of complex home gardens, built on local ecological knowledge, preferences, beliefs, norms and values that indirectly conserve high levels of biocultural diversity. For this reason, the aim of the present work was to study the context, functions and the elements that integrate the traditional management system of Laelia anceps subsp. dawsonii f. chilapensis (known locally as “calaverita”) and the relation between modes of transmission of knowledge and the conservation of calaverita in the region of Chilapa in Guerrero, Mexico. The results show that the calaverita traditional management system is functioning as an unconscious, undervalued but highly effective and cheap biocultural conservation model that can be systematized through a circa situm approach that applies specific circumstances for conservation, in which populations of the target species are located exclusively within farming systems (such as home gardens and agroforestry systems), outside the strict habitat but within the natural geographic distribution range of the species. It links developing and strengthening of the user’s livelihoods with the guiding decision-making for sustainable management of plant genetic resources.

Riparian plants on mine runoff in Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico: Useful for phytoremediation?

ABSTRACT Dispersion and runoff of mine tailings have serious implications for human and ecosystem health in the surroundings of mines. Water, soils and plants were sampled in transects perpendicular to the Santiago stream in Zimapan, Hidalgo, which receives runoff sediments from two acidic and one alkaline mine tailing. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTE) were measured in water, soils (rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere) and plants. Using diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable concentrations of Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd and Pb in rhizosphere soil, the bioconcentration and translocation factors were calculated. Ruderal annuals formed the principal element of the herbaceous vegetation. Accumulation was the most frequent strategy to deal with high concentrations of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb. The order of concentration in plant tissue was Zn>Pb>Cu>Ni>Cd. Most plants contained concentrations of PTE considered as phytotoxic and behaved as metal tolerant species. Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum accumulated particularly high concentrations of Cu. Parietaria pensylvanica and Commelina diffusa, common tropical weeds, behaved as Zn hyperaccumulators and should be studied further.