https://hdl.handle.net/11000/423 2026-04-04T00:47:08Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/39420 Título : Effect of deficit irrigation strategies on the elemental composition of “Mirlo Rojo” apricot cultivated in Spain Autor : Rodríguez-Estrada, Marcos; Carbonell-Barrachina, Ángel A.; Andreu-Coll, Lucía; Hernández, Francisca; Signes-Pastor, Antonio J. Resumen : Background: Deficit irrigation (DI) is a key strategy for optimizing water use in agriculture, particularly in regions affected by climate change. This study evaluates the effects of four DI regimes (100 %, 66 %, 33 %, and 0 % of crop evapotranspiration) on the elemental profile of "Mirlo Rojo" apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivated in southeastern Spain. Methodology: Essential (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Zn) and non-essential elements (As, Cr, Pb, and Rb) were quantified by ICP MS following microwave-assisted acid digestion. Data analysis employed Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman’s rank correlation (bivariate analysis). Method validity was confirmed by 80 %-120 % recovery rates. Results: Seven elements varied significantly (B, Cu, Fe, Na, P, Pb, Rb), while major elements (K, Ca, Mg), Mn and Zn remained stable. K, the most abundant element, peaked at 18,200 mg/kg (33 % DI). As was undetectable and Pb (0.11–0.13 mg/kg) remained below current European regulatory limits, regardless of DI. Non-monotonic responses and significant element correlations were observed, suggesting complex soil-plant interactions. Conclusion: DI did not appear to compromise fruit safety or nutritional value. The element stability under water stress supports the potential of DI as a sustainable water management practice without increasing potentially toxic elements. 2026-02-25T14:31:28Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/39419 Título : Deficit Irrigation and Preharvest Chitosan Sprays Enhance Fruit Quality and Postharvest Performance in Peach Autor : Andreu Coll, Lucía; Blaya Ros, Pedro J; García Castellanos, Begoña; Vigueras Fernández, Jesús; Morales Guevara, Donaldo; García García, José; García Brunton, Jesús; Calín Sánchez, Ángel; Hernández, Francisca; Galindo, Alejandro Resumen : Water scarcity in Mediterranean environments has driven the search for sustainable strategies to improve water-use efficiency while maintaining fruit quality. This study evaluated the combined effect of sustained deficit irrigation and preharvest chitosan sprays on fruit quality, bioactive compounds, mineral composition, and postharvest behaviour in two late-season peach cultivars (“Tiétar” and “Duero”) grown under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. Sustained deficit irrigation was applied throughout the season, together with preharvest chitosan applications during fruit development, to assess individual and interactive effects. Deficit irrigation caused only slight reductions in fruit size while increasing total soluble solids (TSS) concentration and the maturity index (TSS/titratable acidity). Chitosan application increased fruit firmness and modified titratable acidity depending on the irrigation regime (full irrigation or deficit irrigation). The combined treatment (chitosan + deficit irrigation) promoted the accumulation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, particularly in “Tiétar”, increased calcium and iron contents, and showed a longer shelf life. These results indicate that integrating deficit irrigation with preharvest chitosan sprays can mitigate the impact of water scarcity while improving functional and postharvest quality of peaches under Mediterranean conditions. 2026-02-25T14:24:16Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/39418 Título : Profile of Sugars, Organic Acids, and Antioxidant Activity inMoroccan Figs from Oases and Atlas Regions Autor : Mardoume, Ibtissam; Teruel Andreu, Candela; Martínez, Rafael; Bouda, Said; Khachtib, Youssef; Hernández, Francisca; Haddioui, Abdelmajid Resumen : Figs are consumed fresh, dried, or processed into confectionery, compotes, and candies. Key consumer criteria include taste, nutritional value, and functional properties. The study focused on characterizing the biochemical and antioxidant properties of 51 Moroccan fig cultivars from oases and Atlas regions. The following determinations were assessed sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose, and total sugars), organic acids (malic acid, citric acid, and total organic acids), total polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The results reveal significant variation among studied cultivars. Total sugars, glucose, fructose, and antioxidant activity (ABTS, FRAP) are the most discriminating parameters. Additionally, the cultivars from oases ‘Mrotchi’ (MR2), ‘Mrotchi’ (MR4) and ‘Tabkhant’ (TB1) exhibit the highest total polyphenols content (610.07, 681.43, and 582.76 mg GAE/100 g dw, respectively) and exceptionally high antioxidant activities (11.03, 13.88, and 11.37 mmol Trolox/kg, respectively). Additionally, the cultivars ‘Ain Hajla’ (AH5) and ‘Tazizawt’ (TZ) from southeastern oases, as well as the cultivar ‘Beida’ (BD1) from the Atlas Mountain, exhibit high levels of glucose and fructose. This study highlights the substantial biochemical diversity in Moroccan fig cultivars, providing valuable insights for the selection of genetic pools with desirable chemotypes, ultimately benefiting consumer health. 2026-02-25T14:19:47Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/39417 Título : In Vitro Techniques for Seed Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Tuber Production: A Systematic Review Autor : Jácome Sarchi, Guillermo Alexander; Coronel Montesdeoca, Nataly Tatiana; Hernández, Francisca; Martínez, Rafael Todos Santos Resumen : In vitro culture has become a key tool to produce seed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers, a crop of great global importance. This systematic review, based on the PRISMA-ScR methodology, analyzes the main biotechnological strategies used to obtain high-quality, healthy, and pathogen-free seeds, overcoming the limitations of traditional propagation methods. A comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect (June 2025), prioritizing 65 experimental studies published between 2010 and 2025 in indexed journals. Techniques such as meristem culture, micropropagation, microtuber production, the use of temporary immersion bioreactor systems (TIBs), and synthetic seed generation were examined. These methodologies offer advantages such as accelerated propagation, higher yields, reduced use of agrochemicals, germplasm conservation, and economic efficiency. TIBs stand out for improving the survival and productivity of basic seed. This review is organized around four axes: applied techniques, key procedures, economic impact and sustainability, and future perspectives. This work constitutes a useful guide for optimizing seed tuber production using plant biotechnology. 2026-02-25T14:13:50Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/38889 Título : Cryptococcus bacillisporus causing cryptococcoma of the beak of an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), Portugal Autor : Silva, Carolina; Juan-Sallés, Carles; Mendes, Joana; Mendes, Ana ; Ruivo, Mariana; Abad, Juan L; Hagen, Ferry; Colom Valiente, María Francisca Resumen : We report a severe case of rhinothecal cryptococcoma in a 13-year-old female African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus). The bird was born and bred in captivity in Portugal. The beak was deformed and showed several round soft masses, and microscopic examination revealed the presence of cells suggestive for Cryptococcus. Phenotypic and molecular analyses identified the obtained yeast culture as C. bacillisporus (AFLP5/VGIII). By phylogenetic analysis the parrot strain clustered with clinical C. bacillisporus strains from Mexico. 2026-01-16T09:26:54Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/38806 Título : Unlocking the Microbial World: A Global Initiative for Education and Sustainability Autor : Ramos, Juan L.; Lal, Rup; Colom Valiente, María Francisca; Chavarria, Max; Huang, Wei; Wang, Yun; Udaondo, Zulema; Timmis, Kenneth Resumen : Microbes govern our planet! The International Microbial Literacy Initiative (IMiLI) promotes global microbial literacy with free, open-access resources in multiple languages. Understanding microbes is key to sustainability and informed decision-making. 2025-12-15T17:05:11Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/38789 Título : Don’t Fear The Science. Learning Biotechnology with Dinosaurs, Zombies, Mad Doctors and Monsters. Autor : Sánchez Angulo, Manuel 2025-12-12T11:07:35Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/38767 Título : Risk of exposure to bioaerosols in clinical environments: bronchoscopy Autor : Gómez Sánchez, Noelia; Alcalde, Lorena; Sancho Chust, José N; Boira, Ignacio; Gálvez, Beatriz; Esteban, Violeta; Chiner, Eusebi; Yubero, Eduardo; Colom, María Francisca; Ferrer, Consuelo Resumen : Healthcare professionals face a heightened risk of occupational infections, with procedures such as bronchoscopy further increasing this risk by generating aerosols containing diverse microorganisms. This study quantified bioaerosol concentrations during bronchoscopy to evaluate occupational exposure. 2025-12-10T08:52:44Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/38633 Título : Successful Isavuconazole Salvage Therapy for a Cryptococcus deuterogattii (AFLP6/VGII) Disseminated Infection in a European Immunocompetent Patient Autor : Cuetara, Maria Soledad; Jusdado Ruiz-Capillas, Juan José; Nuñez-Valentin, Maria Pilar; Rodríguez Garcia, Elena; Garcia-Benayas, Elena; Rojo-Amigo, Ricardo; Rodriguez-Gallego, Jose Carlos; Hagen, Ferry; Colom, María Francisca Resumen : Members of the Cryptococcus gattii species complex are notorious causes of cryptococcosis as they often cause severe, life-threatening infections. Here wedescribe a case ofaseveredisseminated C. deuterogattii infection in a previously healthy patient who was initially treated with amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine and fluconazole, which led to a good neurological response, but the infection in the lungs remained unaltered and was not completely resolved until isavuconazole. The infection was likely acquired during a one-month stay at the Azores Islands, Portugal. Environmental sampling did not yield any cryptococcal isolate; therefore, the source of this apparent autochthonous case could not be determined. Molecular typing showed that the cultured C. deuterogattii isolates were closely related to the Vancouver Island outbreak-genotype. switching the antifungal therapy to 2025-12-01T15:21:42Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/38632 Título : Amphotericin B intercalated in layered clays as effective antifungal systems against eumycetoma causative agents Autor : Misol, Alexander; Sáez, Esther; Colom, María Francisca; Darder, Margarita; Aranda, Pilar Resumen : Eumycetoma and other subcutaneous mycosis are severe chronic infections with a high incidence in tropical and subtropical regions, whose current treatment has a low curation rate. In the search for more effective and affordable therapies, hybrid materials based on amphotericin B (AmB), an antifungal drug with a broad spectrum of action, appear promising for localized treatment at the site of infection. In this context, the immobilization of AmB in suitable nanocarriers would be helpful to minimize its adverse side effects and ensure a controlled release over time. For this purpose, montmorillonite (MMT), showing cation exchange capacity, and layered double hydroxides (LDH), with anion exchange capacity, are explored as possible supports, taking advantage of the amphoteric character of AmB. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the intercalation of AmB in both the MMT-based and LDH-based hybrids. The protective effect of the inorganic layers on the encapsulated AmB avoiding its oxidation and agglomeration is also proven. A release study from the different supports is carried out in simulated wound fluid (SWF) and in Sabouraud Dextrose Broth (SDB) growth medium, showing a sustained release for at least 60 days. Furthermore, in vitro tests were carried out against two causative agents of eumycetoma, Aspergillus flavus and Subramaniula thielavioides species. These results confirmed the capacity of the two layered hybrids to inhibit the growth of both fungal strains, with the LDH-based hybrid showing a stronger growth inhibition effect on A. flavus. 2025-12-01T15:20:16Z