Biocontrol is one of the most promising alternatives to synthetic fungicides for food preservation. Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, and Aspergillus section Nigri are the most concerning pathogens for grape development. However, frequently, other species, such as Penicillium glabrum in this study, are predominant in spoiled bunches. In this work, 54 native yeasts from vineyards were screened by direct confrontation in potato dextrose agar plates as antagonists against P. glabrum. Isolates of Pichia terricola, Aureobasidium pullulans, and Zygoascus meyerae were selected for their antagonist activity in vitro, plus isolates of Pichia kudriavzevii, Hormonema viticola, and Hanseniaspora uvarum were used as negative controls. However, in vivo, confrontations in wounded grapes showed disagreement with direct confrontation in vitro. P. terricola, P. kudriavzevii, H. viticola, Z. meyerae, and H. uvarum significantly reduced the incidence of P. glabrum on grapes. Nevertheless, P. terricola, H. viticola, and H. uvarum themselves spoiled the wounded grapes. Inhibitions were associated with different mechanisms such as the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), lytic enzymes, biofilm formation, and competition for nutrients. The isolates of P. kudriavzevii L18 (a producer of antifungal VOCs which completely inhibited the incidence of P. glabrum) and Z. meyerae L29 (with pectinase, chitinase and β-glucanase activity and biofilm formation which reduced 70% of the incidence of P. glabrum) are proposed as suitable biocontrol agents against P. glabrum.

Dried fig is susceptible to infection by Aspergillus flavus, the major producer of the carcinogenic mycotoxins. This fruit may be contaminated by the fungus throughout the entire chain production, especially during natural sun-drying, post-harvest, industrial processing, storage, and fruit retailing. Correct management of such critical stages is necessary to prevent mould growth and mycotoxin accumulation, with temperature being one of the main factors associated with these problems. The effect of different temperatures (5, 16, 25, 30, and 37 °C) related to dried-fig processing on growth, one of the regulatory genes of aflatoxin pathway (aflR) and mycotoxin production by A. flavus, was assessed. Firstly, growth and aflatoxin production of 11 A. flavus strains were checked before selecting two strains (M30 and M144) for in-depth studies. Findings showed that there were enormous differences in aflatoxin amounts and related-gene expression between the two selected strains. Based on the results, mild temperatures, and changes in temperature during drying and storage of dried figs should be avoided. Drying should be conducted at temperatures >30 °C and close to 37 °C, while industry processing, storage, and retailing of dried figs are advisable to perform at refrigeration temperatures (<10 °C) to avoid mycotoxin production.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of two methods (agitation and ultra-sound) for extracting phenolic compounds from 15 native plants. Plant species collected in the Dehesa of Extremadura were used. The antioxidant, antihypertensive and antimicrobial activity of the phenolic extracts was investigated. Significantly different results were obtained when comparing the two extraction methods, with the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds found for ultrasound extraction. In addition, the extracts obtained for Cistus albidus, Cistus salviifolius, Rubus ulmifolius and Quercus ilex showed the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds. The antioxidant activity was higher in the extracts of Cistus and Q. ilex obtained by ultrasound, as was the antihypertensive activity. Antimicrobial activity was also higher in the extracts obtained by ultrasound from C. salviifolius and Q. ilex plants against bacteria and from Cistus ladanifer against yeasts. Therefore, it can be concluded that, with the ultrasound extraction of phenolic compounds from C. ladanifer, C. albidus and Q. ilex plants, it is possible to obtain extracts with important functional properties, so they could be studied for their use in food with the aim of obtaining healthy and safe products, favouring the sustainability of the environment of the Dehesa Extremeña.

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This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of bioactive extracts obtained from red wine by-products, such as grape skins and stems, for reducing or eliminating the use of SO2 in red wine production. Special attention was focused on guaranteeing the microbiological stability of the red wines and protecting them against oxidation. Therefore, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts and red wines were studied. Red grape stems and skins, by-products of the wine industry, from six types of monovarietal wines, were used. Extracts obtained from stems displayed higher concentrations of total phenolic compounds and higher in vitro antioxidant activity. Both stem and skin extracts demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and lower activity against yeasts. In the wines produced, higher antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were observed, mainly in the skin extract batches. This study highlights that bioactive extracts obtained from by-products of wine making could be used to reduce or eliminate the use of SO2 in wine production. In this way, healthier red wines could be obtained while guaranteeing their microbiological stability and protecting them from oxidation. Furthermore, the use of these by-products is strongly associated with the circular economy, as they could help to reduce the environmental impact of the wine industry.

El inframunicipalismo ha pervivido en nuestro modelo territorial desde el siglo XIX. Introducido por la Constitución de Cádiz en 1812, el constitucionalismo español ha dado continuidad a este fenómeno que, no en pocas etapas de nuestra historia, ha provocado una vulneración flagrante de numerosos preceptos constitucionales. Fuera de la tendencia seguida por España con la Estrategia del Sur de Europa, los municipios extremeños de Don Benito y Villanueva de la Serena decidieron constituir una nueva entidad municipal que todavía se encuentra en fases de ejecución del proyecto de fusión, cuyo corto recorrido ha supuesto un ejemplo para el municipalismo español y europeo. Esta fusión en Extremadura ofrece claves y nuevas esperanzas en la adopción de medidas para solventar los perniciosos efectos del minifundismo local en España.

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