Abstract Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotsch) grows wild in the Mexican tropical forests in a shrubby form and with striking red bracts and less often it has white bracts. The main use of the native poinsettia is ornamental, little has been studied about the nutritional or nutraceutical properties of the plant. The objective of the present study was to determine the profile of flavonoids and phenolic acids present in the methanolic-aqueous extracts in bracts of five varieties of sun poinsettia in order to know their nutritional properties and promote their consumption. Dry bracts (0.5 g per sample) were used. The extraction of the compounds was done from a solution of methanol/water (80:20 v/v). A profile of phenolic acids and flavonoids was made by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a diode-array detector. Gallic and syringic acids were the ones that had the highest concentrations in the varieties analyzed. The flavonoid rutin was found in high concentrations in all varieties, however, in the Juan Pablo variety, it was not possible to detect phlorizin and phloretin. These results suggest that poinsettia bracts may provide important antioxidants when consumed.

Resumen La nochebuena (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotsch) crece de manera silvestre en los bosques tropicales mexicanos en forma arbustiva y con brácteas rojas llamativas y con menor frecuencia presenta brácteas blancas. El uso principal de la nochebuena nativa es el ornamental, poco se ha estudiado acerca de las propiedades nutrimentales o nutracéuticas de la planta. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el perfil de flavonoides y ácidos fenólicos presentes en los extractos metanólico-acuosos en brácteas de cinco variedades de nochebuena de sol para conocer sus propiedades nutrimentales y promover su consumo. Se utilizaron brácteas secas (0.5 g por muestra). La extracción de los compuestos se hizo a partir de una solución de metanol/agua (80:20 v/v). Se llevó a cabo un perfil de ácidos fenólicos y flavonoides por cromatografía de líquidos de alta resolución (CLAR) acoplado a un detector de arreglo de diodos. Los ácidos gálico y siringico fueron los que presentaron las concentraciones más altas en las variedades analizadas. El flavonoide rutina se encontró en altas concentraciones en todas las variedades, sin embargo, en la variedad Juan Pablo no se logró detectar floridzina y floretina. Estos resultados sugieren que las brácteas de nochebuena pueden aportar antioxidantes importantes al consumirse.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar o efeito de dois fatores: elicitores e doses de fungicidas. Os tratamentos foram aplicados de 2017 e 2018. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso completos, com quatro repetições e unidade experimental por seis pessegueiros. A eficácia dos tratamentos foi avaliada na pós-colheita para que os frutos fossem inoculados com Monilinia fructicola e as medidas do diâmetro da lesão fossem feitas para avaliar a área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença (AACPE) e para determinar a taxa de crescimento. Foram avaliados o conteúdo de fenóis totais e a atividade das enzimas peroxidase, polifenoloxidase, catalase e fenilalanina amônia liase. Os resultados mostraram que as aplicações de fosfito de potássio, combinadas com doses totais de fungicida, reduziram a AACPD de Monilinia fructicola em 47% em comparação com o controle (sem elicitor, sem fungicida). O teor de fenóis e a atividade enzimática aumentaram com a aplicação de elicitores. A aplicação pré-colheita de elicitores é uma opção viável para o manejo de Monilinia fructicola na pós-colheita.

Abstract The aim of this research was to study the effect of two factors: elicitors and fungicide doses. The experiment was conducted in 2017 and 2018. The treatments were applied in four randomized complete blocks with six peach trees as the experimental unit. The effectiveness of treatments was evaluated after harvest so that fruits were inoculated with Monilinia fructicola and lesion diameter measurements were performed to evaluate the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and determine the rate of increase. The content of total phenols and the activity of peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, catalase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzymes were evaluated. The results showed that applications of potassium phosphite combined with full fungicide doses reduced AUDPC of Monilinia fructicola by 47% compared with the control (no elicitor, no fungicide). The content of phenols and the enzymatic activity increased with the application of elicitors. Pre-harvest application of elicitors is a viable option for the postharvest management of Monilinia fructicola.

Abstract The T. lucida species known as ‛pericón’, is a natural resource of Mexico whose essential oil has antifungal properties, although not all the phytopathogenic fungi have been explored the effect that this vegetable substance can cause. From a population collected in Atotonilco the Grande, Hidalgo, Mexico, essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation with 0.2% yield; using the CG-EM technique, eight different components were identified in the oil, but the abundant ones were estragole (48%) and anethole (35%). The in vitro antifungal activity of the essential oil against Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium janthinellum and Rhizoctonia solani was also evaluated by means of the agar diffusion technique, performing two experiments: the first testing concentrations of 0, 0.1 and 1% and in the second 0, 2 and 3%. The concentration of 1% reduced the mycelial growth 46% for F. oxysporum, 39% in R. solani, 21% in A. niger and 16% in P. janthinellum; however, in high concentrations of oil, such as 3%, only in R. solani was the greatest reduction in mycelial growth observed (72%).

Resumen La especie T. lucida conocida como ‘pericón’, es un recurso natural de México cuyo aceite esencial tiene propiedades antifúngicas, aunque no en todos los hongos fitopatógenos se ha explorado el efecto que puede ocasionar esta sustancia vegetal. De una población recolectada en Atotonilco el Grande, Hidalgo, México se obtuvo aceite esencial por hidrodestilación con rendimiento de 0.2%; mediante la técnica CG-EM se identificaron ocho componentes diferentes en el aceite, pero los abundantes fueron: estragol (48%) y anetol (35%). También se evaluó la actividad antimicótica in vitro del aceite esencial contra Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium janthinellum y Rhizoctonia solani mediante la técnica de difusión en agar, realizando dos experimentos: el primero ensayando concentraciones de 0, 0.1 y 1% y en el segundo 0, 2 y 3%. La concentración de 1% redujo el crecimiento micelial 46% para F. oxysporum, 39% en R. solani, 21% en A. niger y 16% en P. janthinellum; sin embargo, en concentraciones altas de aceite, como 3%, solo en R. solani se observó la mayor la reducción del crecimiento micelial (72%).

Abstract The effect of antifungal plant extracts of bulbs of Lilium hybrid L/A “Indian summer” were evaluated on Fusarium oxysporum, which is considered a pathogenic fungus that causes serious damage to agriculture and economic losses to various sectors of industry. The crude extract was fractionated into three sub-extracts according to their polarity (polar, moderately polar and non-polar), and then subject to bioassays of inhibition being potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) the control. The moderately polar extract showed the highest inhibition, decreasing the growth rate by 27 % compared to the mycelial growth in the control. However, when it was compared to plant extracts reported under similar conditions, it was discarded as a growth inhibitor and considered as fungistatic.

Resumen Se evaluó el efecto antifúngico de extractos de bulbos de Lilium hibrido L/A “Indian summer” sobre Fusarium oxysporum considerado como hongo patógeno que provoca daños severos en la agricultura y pérdidas económicas en diversos sectores de la industria. El extracto crudo se fraccionó en tres sub-extractos de acuerdo a la polaridad (polar, medianamente polar y no polar), los cuales se sometieron a bioensayos de inhibición siendo papa-dextrosa-agar (PDA) el tratamiento testigo. Las muestras que se trataron con el extracto medianamente polar presentaron la mayor inhibición, al disminuir la tasa de crecimiento en un 27 %, en comparación al crecimiento micelial del testigo. Sin embargo, al comparar con extractos vegetales que reportaron bajo condiciones similares, se descarta como inhibidor del crecimiento y se considera como fungistático.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of low temperatures on the postharvest physiology of peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.). Its behavior while stored at two temperatures (6 and 10 °C) compared to a control at room temperature (20 ±2 °C) was studied. A completely randomized experimental design with 4 replications was used. Respiration rate (RR), ethylene production (EP), weight loss (WL), total chlorophyll (TC), carotenoids (C) and titratable acidity (TA) were determined. A hedonic evaluation was performed (external appearance, color scale, yellowing, the development of bad odors, leaf abscission and rots). Results show that the refrigeration treatments (6 and 10 °C) maintained RR and EP with values of between 2.57 and 6.65 mL CO2.kg-1.h-1 and 0.04 and 0.27 µL C2H4.kg-1.h-1, respectively. WL decreased by 50 % and TC and C were preserved. Cooling enabled maintaining RR and EP without significant changes. Additionally, reduced changes were observed in WL, TC, C, TA and external quality traits required for marketing peppermint.

Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de las bajas temperaturas sobre la calidad poscosecha de menta (Mentha x piperita L.), se estudió su comportamiento en almacenamiento (6 y 10 °C) respecto a un testigo a temperatura ambiente (20 ±2 °C). Se usó un diseño experimental completamente al azar con cuatro repeticiones. Se determinó la tasa de respiración (TR), producción de etileno (PE), pérdida de peso (PP), clorofila total (CT), carotenoides (C) y acidez titulable (AT). Se realizó una evaluación hedónica (apariencia visual, escala de color, amarrillamiento, desarrollo de malos olores, abscisión de hojas y pudriciones). Entre los principales resultados se encontró que el uso de refrigeración (6 y 10 °C) mantuvo la TR y PE con valores que estuvieron de 2.57 a 6.65 mL CO2.kg-1.h-1 y de 0.04 a 0.27 µL C2H4.kg-1.h-1, respectivamente. Disminuyó un 50 % la PP y se conservaron mejor la CT y C. El uso de refrigeración permitió mantener sin cambios significativos la TR y PE, de igual manera se logró observar una reducción en los cambios de PP, CT, C, AT y apariencia visual requeridos en la comercialización de la menta.

Cut flower commercialization for Baja California contributed during 2004 with more than 122 million pesos, considering flower seed and cut flower production. Most of cut flowers produced in state of Baja California Norte is for export market, by this reason local market means an opportunity for introducing quality products at market prices from national companies. Mexicali city, by being near USA and together with its population economic wealth thanks to profitability of cotton and orchards production in Mexicali Valley, is one or the main producer region in the country. By this reason and thanks to great amount of flower shops located in the region the aim of describing marketing network and profitability for cut flower in Mexicali Valley is proposed. Market study and diagnose to make FODA analysis were developed, defining strategies in order to seize economic potential. Actual distribution networks and marketing system consist in moving cut flowers from production centers, Córdoba, Veracruz and Coatepec de Harinas district, state of Mexico, up to Mexicali Valley, Baja California, keeping quality and optimum vase life for final customer, also proper planning for production chain due not covered demand along year it is required, the population has economical potential and tradition to give flowers guaranteeing good profitability. Roses (Rosa gigantea and R. chinensis L.), asian lilies (Lilium spp.), chrysanthemum [Dendranthema x grandiflorum (Ramat) Kitamura c. v. Polaris White], carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolux ex Hook F.) and oriental lilies (Lilium spp.) are species with more consumers' interest.

La comercialización de flor de corte para Baja California aportó durante 2004 poco más de 122 millones de pesos, considerando semilla para flor y producción de flor de corte. Debido a la exportación de casi la totalidad de la producción estatal de flor cortada, el mercado local representa una oportunidad para la introducción de productos de calidad a precios competitivos de empresas nacionales, siendo Mexicali una ciudad cercana Estados Unidos de América, y aunado al poder adquisitivo de la población es la rentabilidad de las producciones de algodón y hortalizas del Valle de Mexicali, una de las principales zonas productoras del país. Por lo anterior y aunado al importante número de florerías localizadas en la zona se planteó como objetivo describir la red de mercadeo y rentabilidad de la flor de corte en el Valle de Mexicali. Se realizó un estudio de mercado y el diagnóstico para elaborar el análisis FODA, se determinaron las estrategias para el aprovechamiento del potencial económico. El sistema de redes de distribución y mercadeo actual consiste en trasladar las flores de corte desde los centros de producción, Córdoba, Veracruz y distrito de Coatepec Harinas, Estado de México, hasta el Valle de Mexicali, Baja California conservando la calidad y óptima vida de florero hasta su consumo final, asimismo, se requiere de una adecuada planeación de la cadena productiva debido a la presencia de una demanda insatisfecha a lo largo del año, la población cuenta con el potencial económico y la tradición de obsequiar flores lo cual garantiza una buena rentabilidad. Las especies de mayor interés de los consumidores son rosas (Rosa gigantea y R. chinensis L.), lilis asiáticas (Lilium spp.), polar [Dendranthemaxgrandiflorum (Ramat) Kitamura c. v. Polaris White], clavel (Dianthus caryophyllus), gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii H. Boluxex Hook F.) y lilis orientales (Lilium spp.).