Growing interest in natural therapies has increased the demand for essential oils; however, the complex interactions within their mixtures that dictate their final efficacy remain poorly understood. This study aimed to optimize a blend of ginger, cinnamon, tea tree, and geranium essential oils to develop an active ingredient, with synergistic multifunctional bioactivities, that was relevant to cutaneous healing. Initially, the composition and cytotoxicity for individual oils were determined; subsequently, a D-optimal mixture design was employed to evaluate three biological responses related to skin recovery: ultraviolet B radiation absorption, red blood cell lysis inhibition, and catalase enzyme activity. GC-FID analysis revealed the following major components (% w/w): cinnamon (cinnamaldehyde, 77.56%), ginger (alpha-zingiberene, 33.77%), geranium (citronellol, 33.6%), and tea tree (terpinen-4-ol, 38.38%). Dose-response data from essential oils tested against Detroit ATCC 551 skin fibroblasts revealed a clear cytotoxic hierarchy (IC50 & micro;g/mL): cinnamon (21.03) > ginger (25.3) > tea tree (41.67) > geranium (92.51). Cinnamaldehyde content was the primary contributor to photoprotective capacity, with a maximum sun protection factor (SPF) of 4.5. Inhibition against erythrocyte membrane lysis was not attributable to a single component; maximum protection (98.4%) was achieved through synergy between oxygenated monoterpenoids (geranium and tea tree), sesquiterpenes (ginger), and aromatic aldehydes (cinnamon). Highest catalase activity (160.86 kU/g Hb) was reached in mixtures with high cinnamaldehyde and eugenol contents, whereas an antagonistic effect was observed between tea tree and geranium oils. Finally, an optimal formulation (desirability = 0.927) was identified (% w/w): 31.7% ginger, 39.1% cinnamon, 14.5% tea tree, and 14.7% geranium. Experimental validation confirmed no significant difference compared with developed predictive models. This optimized mixture constitutes a bioactive natural component with potential for use in products aimed at promoting skin health, warranting further investigation into direct models of skin healing.
Communication has been a key part of cattle management across distinct cultures; however, there is limited information about the relationship between herding songs and bovine vocalizations over time. This study compared the acoustic features of bovine vocalizations (Bos taurus and Bos indicus) with those of herding songs using Bioacoustics and Music Information Retrieval (MIR). Similarities and differences were identified by principal component analysis (PCA). Results showed notable differences in both the timing and frequency-related acoustic parameters between cattle vocalizations and herding songs. Herding songs had longer durations, while bovine vocalizations were shorter in comparison. In the spectral range, songs showed higher frequencies (> 2500 Hz), whereas vocalizations ranged from 1115.67 to 1797.66 Hz. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct acoustic groups: one with Bos taurus and Bos indicus vocalizations and another with herding songs, characterized by greater spectral variability and a higher proportion of high-frequency components. These findings offer a quantitative look at the acoustic connection between bovine vocalizations and grazing songs, providing insights into interspecies communication and potential applications for livestock management based on acoustic signals.
Contextualization: Studying the metabolic role of certain compounds in the latex produced by Hevea brasiliensis trees can help adjust harvesting strategies for each clone under specific environmental conditions. Knowledge gap: In Colombia, little is known about the metabolic response of the RRIM 600 and FX 3864 clones to hormonal stimulation. This limits the development of appropriate management programs and increases the risk of overexploitation or underuse of the clones' productive potential. Purpose: This study aimed to characterize the metabolic status of latex from the RRIM 600 and FX 3864 clones using the Latex Diagnosis method in order to adjust harvesting practices according to the physiology of each clone. Methodology: The study was conducted between 2021 and 2022 on 12 farms in the department of Meta, Colombia, using a randomized complete block design with two treatments (clones) and four replications per farm. Four physiological latex parameters were evaluated using spectrophotometric analyses: sucrose, inorganic phosphorus, thiols, and total solids content. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models to identify significant effects of clone, farm, and year. Results and conclusions: RRIM 600 showed higher levels of inorganic phosphorus and total solids content, suggesting greater metabolic activity. FX 3864 had higher levels of sucrose and thiols, indicating slower metabolism, greater antioxidant capacity, and greater energy reserves. These physiological differences highlight the need to adjust stimulation intensity according to the metabolic characteristics of each clone. Latex Diagnosis is a key technical tool for improving the sustainability and efficiency of rubber cultivation in the region.
Colombia has established itself as one of the world’s leading exporters of passionflower. A significant portion is cultivated in regions like the province of Lengupá (Boyacá, Colombia). These crops are viewed as an economic alternative that supports balancing conservation and development goals. For some time, efforts have been underway to develop production systems focused on sustainability. This article helps us understand, through the lens of socio-ecological systems, the factors that both promote and hinder progress toward sustainable production. Based on structured and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in the region and passionflower producers, it is possible to identify main limitations such as a lack of knowledge about the origin of the plant material, limited technical support, the absence of soil analysis for decision-making, and the small number of certifications in good agricultural practices. However, positive aspects include the widespread recognition of ecosystem services by producers, the region’s abundant water resources, organizational capacity, the role of women in promoting the crop, and the increasing adoption of agroecological production practices.
The search for alternative crop nutrition practices is essential to reduce dependence on synthetic chemical fertilizers and contribute to sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate the integrated effect of biological fertilizers (3.7 L ha⁻¹), soil mineral fertilizer (90-60-52 kg ha⁻¹ of NPK), foliar mineral fertilizer (1.5 L ha⁻¹), and organic matter (1 t ha⁻¹ of compost) on quinoa growth, yield, and grain size distribution. Seven treatments were evaluated: T1 (control), T2 (soil mineral), T3 (soil mineral + foliar), T4 (biological), T5 (biological + organic), T6 (biological + soil mineral), and T7 (biological + soil mineral + organic). The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with four replicates, and the data were analyzed using ANOVA (p < 0.05). The results indicated that quinoa has high nutritional demands, as the absence of any type of fertilizer resulted in the lowest yield and grain size. While biological fertilizers significantly improved agronomic variables, the integrated fertilization strategy (T7) produced the highest yield (1.89 t ha⁻¹) and the largest proportion of large grains (57%), representing increases of 4.2 and 3.6 times, respectively, compared to the control. Mineral fertilizers alone (T2) resulted in the most homogeneous size distribution, a desirable characteristic for the industry. We concluded that integrated fertilization is a effective strategy for quinoa cultivation, offering a viable pathway to reduce the exclusive use of chemical fertilizers.
