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Lophophora williamsii (peyote) is a spineless cactus that stands out for its psychoactive alkaloid content and considered vulnerable due to the destruction of its habitat and illegal extraction. The objective of this study is to describe the spatial distribution and interactions between facilitator species and L. williamsii that are important for this species conservation and reintroduction programs. The spatial distribution pattern was determined by Ripley's K-function. To know whether L. williamsii requires facilitator species, 10 plots of 100 m2 each were considered to perform dasometric measurements of the perennial species. Frequency of peyotes under the canopy of perennial species and open spaces was determined. The cardinal directions in which peyote individuals were found under the facilitator species were recorded, as well as soil surface temperature and solar radiation at soil level under the foliage and open spaces. L. williamsii showed an aggregated spatial distribution; 97.7% of peyotes were found under the foliage of facilitator species, where temperature and solar radiation were significantly lower than in the open spaces. Among the facilitator species, those that stand out are Flourensia cernua , Agave lechuguilla , Larrea tridentata , and Prosopis glandulosa. Significantly greater frequencies of peyotes were observed positioned on the northern quadrant of the facilitator crown. The results obtained show that L. williamsii needs the protection of perennial species for its establishment. Thus, the disappearance of these species could put at risk the persistence of peyote in these communities. These findings point out that the conservation and restoration of wild peyote populations require maintenance from the facilitator species. • Florencia cernua was the main facilitator species for Lophophora williamsii. • The highest L. williamsii density population is reported (7570 ind./ha). • Important data for future L. williamsii conservation and restoration planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectin is a co-product from juicing and the physico-chemical quality is important to functionality of pectin in food and pharmaceutical applications. Juice and peel from Huanglongbing (HLB) control and infected Valencia oranges were analyzed. Infected fruit had smaller diameter, lower L* and b* values and highly variable a* values. Juice from infected fruit had higher pectinmethylesterase (PME) activity of 1.5 Units/mL, which retained higher activity during 15 days of storage at 4 °C, and juice had higher cloud loss. Also, the juice obtained from infected fruit had lower °Brix (8.5–8.9), higher titratable acidity (0.71–0.88%), and lower pH (3.45–3.75). Molecular weights of 154–157 kDa and degrees of esterification of 65–67% were similar. Pectin yield from dried peel was reduced by 6% in infected fruit to 4.18 g/100 g. Total neutral sugars in pectin from control fruit were higher, 84.1 μg/mg, compared to infected fruit, 60.7 μg/mg. Glucose, galactose, and arabinose, were higher in control fruit, 25.0, 40.8, and 9.7 μg/mg, compared to 14.5, 27.4, and 8.3 μg/mg in infected fruit. Viscosity was 0.015 Pa s, in 1% pectin from control or infected fruit (p > 0.05). Juice quality, including cloud stability, was negatively impacted by HLB, however pectin functionality was minimally impacted. • Huanglongbing negatively impacts citrus juice ◦Bx, pH, titratable acidity, color. • Juice from infected fruit has higher pectinmethylesterase activity and cloud loss. • Lower yield of pectin from peel was obtained from infected fruit. • Pectin is similar in control or infected fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]