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There is a growing interest in finding safe and natural anti-microbial compounds as a valid alternative to conventional chemical treatments for managing post-harvest fruit diseases. This study investigated the anti-fungal capacity of orange peel polyphenolic extract (OPE) against three relevant post-harvest fungal pathogens, Monilinia fructicola, Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata. OPE extract at 1.5 g/L inhibited (100%) the mycelial growth and conidial germination of the three target fungi. At lower concentration, the effect varied, depending on the dose applied and target fungi. When the anti-fungal activity of the main phenolic compounds in sweet orange peel, namely, the flavonoids (naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin) and phenolic acids (ferulic and p-coumaric), were evaluated, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid displayed significantly higher inhibitory capacity in synthetic medium, while the activity of flavonoids was limited. Synergism between compounds was not detected, and the inhibitory activity of OPE may be attributed to an additive effect of phenolic acids. Interestingly, in peach-based medium, ferulic acid remained active against M. fructicola and A. alternata and was more efficient than p-coumaric to control B. cinerea. These results highlight peel orange waste as an excellent source of anti-fungal compounds, suggesting the possibility of using ferulic acid or ferulic acid-rich extracts, either alone or in combination with other post-harvest treatment, as a natural alternative to reduce post-harvest losses and, also, enhance the shelf-life of fruit.

El nombre de Lu Yang sobresale en el panorama más reciente del arte multimedia chino. Formada en la China Academy of Art de Hangzhou y actualmente basada en Shanghai, esta artista es uno de los principales exponentes de esta disciplina en el país asiático, habiendo expuesto su trabajo en la Bienal de Venecia, la Bienal de Shanghai o el Centro Pompidou. Su obra, en ocasiones fuente de controversia, gira en torno a temáticas como la biología, la neurociencia o el pensamiento religioso. Para ello se sirve de diferentes técnicas de representación gráfica (animación 3D, VR); así como de recursos como la estética y la narrativa del videojuego, la ciencia ficción o el anime, dotando a su obra de un carácter abigarrado y colorido que frisa lo kitsch.Este trabajo realiza un recorrido por las piezas más conocidas de Lu Yang, desde “Reanimation! Underwater Zombie Frog Ballet” (2011) hasta sus posteriores Delusional Mandala (2015) o Moving Gods (2015), tomando el cuerpo como eje central de su obra. Así, a través de avatares diseñados digitalmente y de sus diferentes relatos, Lu Yang aborda el cuerpo como lugar en el que desaparece la distinción entre humano y máquina. El cuerpo es presentado como mecanismo biológico, despojado de implicaciones políticas o agencia moral. En varias de sus obras, el avatar (en ocasiones, encarnando a la artista a modo de doble virtual) es sometido a simulaciones de estimulación cerebral, provisto de ítems con los que desarrollar nuevas acciones, o analizado quirúrgicamente en sus atributos, recurriendo adicionalmente al texto explicativo y al close-up. El cuerpo se configura como una extensión de la tecnología utilizada para (re)crearlo, pero también capaz de intervenir en ella y usurparla. Una perspectiva que resulta, también, liberadora: ajenos a las imposiciones biológicas y culturales propias de la realidad no-artificial, los avatares de Yang trascienden el binarismo sexual, y sus cuerpos adquieren una dimensión divina o sobrehumana, siempre mediada por las mecánicas de la tecnología. De este modo, son capaces de participar en una subversión irónica del género (Uterus Man, 2014) o de la enfermedad (Cancer Baby, 2014). Una distancia que sólo es posible dentro de las estrategias brindadas por la virtualidad, y mediante la cual abordan cuestiones relacionadas con la muerte o la conciencia.De este modo, la obra de Lu Yang se conforma como un doble despliegue de savoir faire tecnológico. Por un lado, en el propio medio: el vídeo como el sofisticado resultado de la aplicación de diferentes softwares y el recurso musical y textual, propio de la cultura mainstream. Asimismo, Lu Yang enmarca y defiende su obra en vídeo dentro de un entorno (Internet), que determina su concepción, circulación y autonomía. Por otro lado, su reflexión tecnológica operará a través del cuerpo del avatar, híbrido de ingeniería y mitología, donde mente y materia se encuentran en conflicto.

The processing of dried figs in the industry involves a number of stages that present a significant risk of filamentous fungal infection of the fruit and subsequent mycotoxin contamination, due to the changes in temperature and water activity (a

Resumen: Objetivos: Evaluar la prevalencia, severidad y factores de riesgo asociados a la retinopatía diabética (RD) en Cantabria. Diseño: Estudio transversal de base poblacional. Emplazamiento: Centro de salud de Cantabria. Participantes: Muestra aleatoria de 442 pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Mediciones principales: Retinografía no midriática, clasificándolas según la International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale. Los factores de riesgo estudiados: edad, sexo, edad diagnóstico, años de evolución de la diabetes, grado de control glucémico (HbA1c), tratamiento de la diabetes, control de la tensión arterial, control lipídico, obesidad, tabaquismo, hematocrito bajo, embarazo, déficit de vitamina D, nefropatía y eventos cardiovasculares. Resultados: Prevalencia de RD del 8,56% (IC: 5,81-11,32). RD no proliferativa leve: 5,07% (IC: 2,89-7,25); RD no proliferativa moderada: 1,38% (IC: 0,17-2,60); RD no proliferativa severa: 0,27% (IC: 0,006-1,28); RD proliferativa: 1,84% (IC: 0,46-3,22); edema macular diabético: 2,30% (IC: 0,77-3,83). Edad media: 70 años, edad de diagnóstico 58,97 años; índice de masa corporal 29,86; hipertensos 78,40%; dislipidemia 67,30% y HbA1c mediana 6,76%. El déficit de 25 (OH) D fue del 77%. En el análisis multivariante los factores independientes fueron tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2, índice de masa corporal, años de evolución y control de la diabetes. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de RD ha disminuido hasta el 8,56%; esta disminución se asocia a la mejora en el control de los factores de riesgo modificables. Los factores de riesgo asociados de forma independiente fueron: tratamiento, índice de masa corporal, años de evolución y control de la diabetes. Las variables control hipertensión arterial, eventos cardiovasculares y nefropatía también mostraron capacidad predictiva para la RD. Abstract: Objetive: To assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Cantabria. Design: ross-sectional population based study. Location: Health center of Cantabria. Particiants: A random sample of 442 patients with type 2 diabetes. Main measurements: Non-mydiatric retinography, classifying them according to the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale. The analyzed risk factors were: age, gender, age at diabetes onset, duration of diabetes, glycated haemoglobin levels (A1C), treatment of diabetes, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), serum lipids concentration, body mass index, smoking status, hematocrit, pregnancy, serum vitamin D (25 OH D) levels, nephropathy and cardiovascular events. Results: The prevalence of DR was 8.56% (CI: 5.81-11.32): Mild non-proliferative DR: 5.07% (CI: 2.89-7.25); Moderate non-proliferative DR: 1.38% (CI: 0.17-2.60); Severe non-proliferative DR: 0.27% (CI: 0.006-1.28); proliferative DR: 1.84% (CI: 0.46-3.22). Diabetic macular oedema: 2.30% (CI: 0.77-3.83). Mean age: 70 years, mean diagnostic age: 58.97 years, mean body mass index 29.86, 78.40% patients with hypertension, 67.30% dyslipidemia and median A1C: 6.7%. A deficit of 25 (OH) D was identified in 77% of patients. In the multivariate analysis, treatment of type 2 diabetes, body mass index, duration of diabetes and metabolic control of glycaemia were identified as independent risk factors. Conclusions: The prevalence of DR, compared with former studies, has decreased to 8.56%; this decrease is associated with the improvement in the control of modifiable risk factors. The associated independent risk factors were: treatment, body mass index, duration and control of diabetes. The variables antihypertensive treatment, cardiovascular events and nephropathy showed predictive value for DR. Palabras clave: Retinopatía diabética, Prevalencia, Factores de riesgo, Diabetes, Trastornos de la visión., Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy, Prevalence, Risk factor, Diabetes mellitus, Vision disorders.

Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger are fungi which can contaminate dried figs before and after harvest and consequently produce aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA). Many approaches have been applied to minimise the growth of these filamentous fungi, mainly involving the use of synthetic fungicides which are limited due to their negative impact on human health and the environment. In this context, biocontrol is a recent approach that needs to be explored. This study evaluated the potential of three volatile organic compounds (VOCs), octanoic acid (OA), 2-phenylethyl acetate (2PEA) and furfuryl acetate (FA), produced by Hanseniaspora uvarum and Hanseniaspora opuntiae yeasts on the growth, germination, gene expression and production of AFs and OTA by A. flavus M144 and A. niger M185 on dried fig-based agar and the incidence rates in dried figs. Two of the three VOCs evaluated (2PEA and FA) effectively controlled A. flavus M144 and A. niger M185 by using at least amounts of 50 μL (715 μL/L in the headspace) for FA and 100 μL (1430 μL/L in the headspace) for 2PEA in dried figs. One of the mode of actions of both compounds consists in early repressing the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of AFs (aflR) and OTA (pks) of A. flavus and A. niger, respectively. The results of this study support the application of 2PEA and FA at the early post-harvest stages of dried figs to control mycotoxin accumulation.

Este trabajo pretende analizar y reflexionar sobre las prácticas que, por su pertenencia al ámbito de lo virtual, generaron un espacio para el encuentro social durante la pandemia de Covid-19. Abordando algunas cuestiones teóricas en torno a las nociones del espacio, el cuerpo o lo virtual, nos centraremos en dos contextos digitales especialmente populares durante el confinamiento: el videojuego “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” y los challenges virales de la red social Tik Tok.

Serpa cheese is one of the traditional regional Portuguese cheeses having the Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) designation. This study investigated the bacterial community in the traditional Portuguese Serpa cheese. The microorganisms identified at the end of ripening (30 days) mainly were lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Lactobacillus paracasei/Lactobacillus caseiwas the main species in cheese from PDO registered industries, whereas in non‐PDO registered industries Lactobacillus breviswas highlighted, among other LAB. Enterobacteriaceaespecies were detected at 20% to 40% of the total isolates. The results obtained by high‐throughput sequencing analysis confirmed that LAB was the main microbial group, with Lactococcusgenus contributing to approximately 40% to 60% of the population, followed by Leuconostocand Lactobacillus. The Enterobacteriaceaefamily was also important. The differences between bacterial communities from PDO and non‐PDO registered industries suggest that the lack of regulation of the cheese‐making practices may influence unfavorably. The new knowledge about bacterial diversity in Serpa cheese could be useful to set up new ripening conditions, which favor the development of desirable microorganisms. The control of the manufacturing process of traditional cheeses can be improved through the knowledge of the bacterial diversity that develops. Thus, the growth of desirable microorganisms can be promoted to homogenize the final product.

Traditional cheeses may be contaminated by mycotoxin-producing fungi, during ripening. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of water activity (aw), pH, and temperature, on the lag phases, growth, and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) production of three Penicillium strains (P. commune CBS311 and CBS341, and P. camemberti CBS273), in a cheese-based medium. The behaviour of the Penicillium strains was influenced by the pH, aw, and temperature conditions. P. commune CBS311 and CBS341, showed the highest (P

The relationship between the quality attributes and the ultrasound parameters of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) soft-bodied cheeses from “Torta del Casar” and “Queso de la Serena” was studied. Cheese samples were taken from six different dairy industries (three for each PDO) in two different seasons. Ultrasound parameters related to velocity, attenuation and frequency were calculated and correlated with the physico-chemical, microbiological, rheological and sensorial properties of the cheeses. Several ultrasonic parameters showed a high correlation with changes in the physico-chemical, textural and sensorial properties of this product, which were partially associated with microbial activity. Among these, stand out the negative correlation of the sensorial descriptor “firmness” with bulk modulus (κ). The predictive models achieved by the multivariate linear regression method (MLR) showed the highest correlation coefficients for firmness by texture compression analysis (TCA) and the sensory descriptor “intensity”, including as the explanatory variables for both models, fast Fourier transform (FFT) frequencies and attenuation parameters. This work highlights the on-line capability of ultrasound for non-destructive quality assessment of this traditional and heterogeneous soft cheese based on the predictive potential of several secondary ultrasonic parameters.

Rotting caused by grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) is a concerning disease for numerous crops both pre- and postharvest stages. Application of antagonistic yeasts is a promising strategy for controlling grey mould incidence which could mitigate undesirable consequences of using synthetic fungicides. In this work, a screening for detection of yeasts isolated from figs producers of antifungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were performed by confrontation in double dishes systems. Eleven out of 34 yeasts confronted reduced B. cinerea growth parameter in vitro. This reduction was correlated (p ≤ 0.050) with the production of 10 volatile compounds: two acids (acetic acid and octanoic acid), 7 esters (Ethyl propionate, n-Propyl acetate, Isobutyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate, furfuryl acetate, phenylmethyl acetate, 2-phenylethyl acetate) and one ketone (Heptan-2-one). In bases on in vitro assay, Hanseniaspora uvarum 793 was applied to in vivo assays with strawberries and cherries. The reduction of incidence of B. cinerea in strawberries at 7 °C and 25 °C was 54.9 and 72.1% after 6 and 3 days, respectively. The reduction of incidence of B. cinerea in cherries at 7 °C and 25 °C was 48.9 and 45.6% after 5 and 4 days, respectively. These results showed that VOCs produced by Hanseniaspora uvarum 793 are effective in the control of incidence of Botrytis cinerea in fruits, being a potential alternative to chemical fungicide.

The demand for dried figs has increased in recent years. This, together with rising production costs and difficult access to labour for harvesting, has made it necessary to seek alternatives to the traditional systems. The fig tree is a fruit species with a high adaptive capacity. In this work, we studied for 5 consecutive years the adaptation of the Calabacita variety, traditionally used for dried fig production in the southwest of Spain, under high density conditions (1000 trees per hectare with a planting frame of 5 × 2 m). In addition, a suspended mesh netting structure was installed to facilitate the harvesting process. Compared to the traditional system, the results obtained with this system are higher. In addition to improving the harvesting operation, use of the suspended mesh netting may also reduce damage caused by insects. The dried figs obtained were firmer and had a darker brown colour than those using the traditional system, probably because the suspended meshes favour the drying process by facilitating air circulation. Finally, use of the suspended mesh netting also constitutes an important advance from a sanitary perspective, as the lower moisture content of the figs harvested this way impedes the proliferation of mycotoxigenic fungi and, consequently, the possible presence of mycotoxins.

This study investigated the yeast community in traditional soft cheese from the Extremadura region to be able to establish possible beneficial properties for human health. A total of 149 yeast isolates were characterised at strain level using the ISSR-PCR technique with the primer (GTG)5. Forty-three different genetic profiles were obtained, and the yeasts were grouped into 12 species allowing their typification at strain level. Regarding probiotic tests, 54 strains were selected for the study of probiotic properties based on genetic profile and origin. All of them showed adequate tolerance to the most restrictive stomach and bile salts conditions, although strains of Kluyveromyces lactis and Pichia fermentans presented better ability to survive to these stresses. P. fermentans was also the species that showed better antioxidant, auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity capacity, at the same time as antimicrobial activity, followed by Kluyveromyces sp. strains. Thus, considering the probiotic characteristics studied, 15 strains, P. fermentans 1826, 1865, 1859, 1911,1913, 1916 and 1938; P. kudriavzevii 1801, 1809 and 1832; K. marxianus 1886, 1917 and 1919; D. hansenii 1860; and Y. lipolytica 1961, are promising potential probiotic candidates for developing a functional cheese.

Today's growing interest in functional foods is due to their positive impacts on human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties and prebiotic metabolism of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria from artisanal Serpa cheese. Twenty strains presented better tolerance to stress conditions found in the gastrointestinal tract, highlighting Lactobacillus brevis C1Lb21 for its adequate auto-aggregating ability and significantly higher hydrophobicity. However, eight strains were discarded for their antibiotic resistance and biogenic amine production. Finally, prebiotic fermentation study showed that lactulose supported better growth of lactobacilli and induced the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). During lactulose fermentation, Lb. pentosus G4Lb7 produced statistically more SCFA, and Lb. plantarum G1Lb5 lactic acid. Thus, Lb. brevis C1Lb21, Lb. plantarum G1Lb5 and Lb. pentosus G4Lb7 are promising probiotic candidates, and in combination with lactulose could be used for developing a symbiotic cheese.