Revista de divulgación científica iBIO

Leuconostoc mesenteroides: A key microorganism in fermentation and modern biotechnology

Elsa Díaz-Montes — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Leuconostoc mesenteroides, a lactic acid bacterium, stands out for its versatility in food fermentation and its biotechnological potential. It plays a key role in the food industry thanks to its tolerance to adverse conditions, production of compounds that improve texture, flavor, and food safety, and its probiotic properties. Its ability to produce dextran and bacteriocins makes it a valuable ally for the production of biopolymers, functional ingredients, and natural preservatives. Current studies focus on optimizing its performance through genetic engineering, offering innovative and sustainable solutions with a promising future in the development of safer, more natural, and more effective products.

The oral microbiome: The invisible ecosystem that impacts your health

Ana Sofía Alvarado Bautista, Julian Andres Largo Lopez — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The microorganisms of the human microbiome are a community that is more diverse, variable, and important than we know. Within the oral cavity, they serve as protective entities against external pathogens but can also contribute to the development of oral diseases and trigger systemic illnesses. It is well known that sugar-rich diets favor acidogenic species such as S. mutans, involved in the onset of caries. Even lifestyle habits can influence the development of diseases such as oral cancer. This highlights the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene habits (such as tooth brushing), as well as a balanced and low-sugar diet.

Food nanotechnology: Curcumin as a model for bioavailability, safety, and human evidence

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Using curcumin as an example, this article shows how food nanotechnology acts as a nanocarrier system that protects and delivers fragile molecules. It summarizes its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial actions and explains why micelles, nanoemulsions, or liposomes enhance absorption and bioavailability. It also sets boundaries: not all “nano” is the same, excipients matter, and human evidence is decisive. We provide label-reading guidelines to help you make informed choices. It’s not magic; it’s science applied to better eating, grounded in evidence, safety, and access.

It wasn’t a potion, it was a remedy

José Nabor Haro-González; Hugo Espinosa-Andrews — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

There is no flu that can resist Doña Chole’s remedies: garlic, onion and ginger. Beyond the unpleasant taste and smell, these ingredients possess scientifically backed biological properties of interest to human health. They are natural bronchodilators, antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories, capable of relieving respiratory symptoms and strengthening the immune system. Loaded with bioactive compounds, their use transcends tradition. Today, its therapeutic potential arouses interest in science and research and opens the way to complementary treatments for respiratory diseases. A potion that scientifically looks like magic.

Beyond flavour: How to choose a functional snack?

Jaqueline Romo Tovar, Araceli Loredo Treviño, Mayela Govea Salas — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fast food snacks have become an essential part of a fast-paced lifestyle, and snacks offer a practical alternative with the potential to nourish, satisfy, and promote metabolic health. This article examines functional snacks, explains key concepts such as digestibility, absorption, and bioavailability, and discusses the legal regulations governing food labeling claims. It analyzes how to choose snacks beyond marketing claims, focusing on protein and fiber content and, moreover, advances in food science, to make more informed choices in the food sector.

Weight-loss drugs: a healthy alternative?

Julio César Alonso-Vázquez, Carolina Díaz-Canul, Rebeca Escutia-Gutiérrez — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Obesity is a major health issue globally. In Mexico, ENSANUT 2023 [1] reports that 37.1% of adults are affected, which greatly diminishes their quality of life. Presently, there are approved medications that aid in weight reduction. When these are used alongside a nutritious diet and consistent exercise, they provide an effective means of managing this condition, including the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA).

Biogas production from organic waste: Sustainable use for clean energy generation

Vanessa Rodríguez-Medina, Wenceslao Bonilla-Blancas — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Did you know that food waste, livestock waste, and even wastewater can generate energy? Biogas is a renewable energy source produced by the decomposition of organic waste through a process called anaerobic digestion. The purpose of this technology is to convert organic waste to generate fuel gas, heat, or electricity. This article will explain how this process works, the microorganisms involved, what waste can be used, and how trash can be part of the change to build a cleaner, more self-sufficient future from what we discard daily.

Viruses at the service of science: gene silencing and expression in plants

Mariana Sepúlveda Pérez, Julio Armando Massange Sánchez, Rafael Urrea López — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

For centuries, we observed plants from the outside only, based on their physical properties, and fruit yield. Today, biotechnology opens an inner window with the help of an unexpected ally: domesticated plant viruses, so-called “viral vectors”. Due to their ability to reproduce massively these vectors allow scientists to produce huge amounts of protein, or the temporal silencing of specific genes. With this, scientist can learn what genes do, or make a lot of protein for vaccines and medicine. Recent discoveries have also allowed these viral vectors to do precision gene editing.