Raúl Rodríguez García

Productivity and cytogenetic characteristics of guayule. Screening of plants from the mapimi region

Guayule plants were screened in the region of Mapimi (Durango, Mexico) to evaluate physicochemical parameters for selection of increased productivity. The objective was to characterize rubber, and resin content, stem diameter, rubber molecular weight and cytology of these plants to identify and select high productivity sites. Samples were collected from nine locations within the Mapimi Region. Inflorescences containing young floral buds of the same plants were selected to determine ploidy level. Cytogenetic results showed the presence of di-, tri- and tetraploids. Samples for rubber and resin analysis were cut from the branches. Genetic variation in molecular weight and molecular weight distributions for rubber was measured. Significant differences were found in resin content and stem diameter between the sampling sites, but differences were not significant for the rubber content between sites. A productivity parameter was defined and used to identify two locations where guayule genotypes exhibited the best characteristics for commercialization. This information may increase the industrial development and understanding of the polymerization bioprocess.

Flourensia cernua DC: A Plant from Mexican Semiarid Regions with a Broad

Mexico has an extensive variety of plants, it is the world ́s fourth richest country in this aspect. Some 25,000 species are registered, and it is thought that there are approximately 30, 000 not described. Particularly the regions of the north of Mexico, with their semiarid climate, have a great number and variety of wild plants grown under extreme climatic conditions. Wild species which have compounds with flavonoid structures, sesquiterpenoids, acetylenes, p-acetophenones, benzofurans, and benzopyrans grow in these regions. The polyphenolic compounds include tannins and flavonoids which have therapeutic uses due to their anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and healing properties.