Universidad Estatal Amazónica

The aim of this work was the evaluation of four milky genotypes at first lactation in outdoor pasture conditions through indicators of biological efficiency in the Canton Arosemena Tola, Province of Napo- Ecuador. 36 milky cows at first deliver crossbreeds of different genotypes (Bos Indicus x each genotype used): Bos Indicus x Gyr (Gyr), Bos Indicus x Brown Swiss (BS), Bos Indicus x Jersey (J) and Bos Indicus Sahiwal (S). For the productive variables studied there were no significant differences (p≥0.05) among the four genotypes. For the reproductive variables analyzed there were significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) among the four genotypes studied as regards the age at first delivery. Concerning the rest of the variables there were no significant differences (p≥0.05). Neither were there significant differences (p≥0.05) of weight at delivery among the four genotypes; however differences appeared 90 days after the delivery (p ≤ 0.01) and at healing (p ≤ 0.01). It is concluded that the four genotypes studied behave in a similar way, in agreement with the region of study. None of the milky genotypes studied stands out from the others, showing a similarity in this aspect.

Dermatophilosis is an acute or cronic disease of the epidermis characterized by inflammatory, exudative and bleeding lesions with scabs, caused by the bacterium Dermathophiluscongolensis. It affects bovine, ovine, equine, cattle, goats, wild animals and also humans when it is considered aminor zoonosis. This work is about a case caused by Dermathophiluscongolensisin a sheep from Ecuadorian Amazonia. The affected sheep presented claudication with non itchy lesions in its right front limb, bleeding and painful at first. An exudate culture was taken to the laboratory. The samples were processed for a bacteriological diagnosis. Based on the clinical symptoms together with the lab results, Dermatophiluscongolensis was diagnosed. It was treated with BenzathinPenicilin 100,000 UI, each dosis of 10,000 UI / kg PV, every 48 hours, in 5 consecutive applications combined with Tolfenamic Acid 8gr. In doses of 2mg / kg, that is to say 1 ml / 40 Kg PV every 48 hours. 10 days after the beginning of the treatment, the claudication and the pain lessened and the animal tried to set its limb on the ground.

One of the most toxic metals is mercury, which exhibits high toxicity during short exposure periods. This study aimed to determine the concentration of total mercury (THg) in fish muscle tissue from various species captured from two locations in the middle basin of the Pastaza River in Ecuador, which the locals use in their weekly diet. The individuals captured belong to the following families: Loricariidae, Cetopsidae, Heptapteridae, Cichlidae, Parodontidae, Characidae, Prochilodontidae, Curimatida, Siluriformes, Cichliformes, Characiformes, Erythrinidae and Curimatidae. Carnivorous species Charax sp. and Cetopsis plumbea, had THg concentrations were 0.241± 0.018 and 0.116 ± 0.045 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Herbivorous species Hypostomus sp. had a lower of THg. Carnivorous species Hoplias malabaricus exhibited THg concentration of 0.160±0.033 and 0.020±0.007 mg kg⁻¹ for the omnivorous species Creagrutus sp. Carnivorous species accumulated higher levels of Hg compared to non-carnivorous species. Concentration of total mercury in the collected fish did not exceed the maximum permissible limits set by legislative standards (Ecuadorian Institute of Standardization (INEN as per the acronym in Spanish), FAO/WHO and European Commission); and the objective hazard quotient was less than 1, indicating that the consumption of this fish may pose no risk to human health. Considering the mean concentrations of methylmercury, for all the fish species analysed, the results for daily consumption rate were between 6–199 g and 29–928 g for children and adults, respectively.

Essential oils are investigated due to their biological activity, and the Amazon rainforest, with its rich biodiversity, is a promising source of therapeutic compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the essential oil from the leaves of Bixa orellana as an antifungal agent, thus contributing to the search for alternatives that can address the growing resistance to conventional antifungals. B. orellana leaves were collected in the Ecuadorian Amazon and their essential oil was obtained by steam distillation. Their chemical composition was analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and their antifungal activity against Candida albicans was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method (ATCC 10231), with nystatin as a positive control. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 60 compounds, the main ones being dihydroedulan (27.5%), β-caryophyllene (10.3%), nerolidol (7.21%), trans-β-bergamotene (5.73%), α-santalene (4.94%) and trans-α-bergamotene (4.26%). The essential oil showed moderate antifungal activity against C. albicans, producing an inhibition halo of 13 mm in diameter, which is 48% of the inhibition observed with nystatin (27 mm). The presence of sesquiterpenes, such as β-caryophyllene, known for its membrane-disrupting properties, probably contributes to the observed antifungal effects. The study highlights the potential of B. orellana essential oil as a natural antifungal agent; however, further research is required to evaluate its efficacy against a wider range of pathogenic fungi, its possible synergistic effects with conventional antifungals and its safety and efficacy in vivo.

El presente trabajo analiza la inclusión del enfoque de biocomercio en el diseño de procesos químicos sostenibles, lo cual representa un reto para el desarrollo de tecnologías y productos que aprovechen las oportunidades de este enfoque. El objetivo es generar alternativas de diseño de procesos para la producción de una emulsión destinada al uso cosmético desde el enfoque de biocomercio. Para ello, se analizó un estudio de caso en el cual fue importante la selección de una materia prima proveniente de una región amazónica ecuatoriana con el fin de obtener una emulsión cosmética. Las alternativas tecnológicas para producir la emulsión cosmética a partir de aceite de Ungurahua consideraron la sostenibilidad, diversas alternativas de producción, así como aspectos del biocomercio y del diseño de proceso. El diseño se realizó mediante la simulación con el SuperPro Designer v10. El aceite se puede obtener mediante prácticas de recolección no invasivas, que preservan el ecosistema y promueven la biodiversidad, lo cual contribuye al biocomercio y a la viabilidad a largo plazo del proyecto desde perspectivas técnicas, ambientales y sociales. El diseño del proceso se caracteriza por su sostenibilidad y viabilidad tecnológica. La tecnología diseñada utiliza materias primas y fuentes de energía renovables, y no genera residuos sólidos, líquidos ni gaseosos. Su implementación impactaría en lo social al generar fuentes de empleo, y se estima que la inversión se recuperaría en 4.73 años si la producción supera los 780 lotes/año.

Leaf and wood functional traits of trees are related to growth, reproduction, and survival, but the degree of phylogenetic conservatism in these relationships is largely unknown. In this study, we describe the variability of strategies involving leaf, wood and demographic characteristics for tree genera distributed across the Amazon Region, and quantify phylogenetic signal for the characteristics and their relationships. Leaf and wood traits are aligned with demographic variables along two main axes of variation. The first axis represents the coordination of leaf traits describing resource uptake and use, wood density, seed mass, and survival. The second axis represents the coordination between size and growth. Both axes show strong phylogenetic signal, suggesting a constrained evolution influenced by ancestral values, yet the second axis also has an additional, substantial portion of its variation that is driven by functional correlations unrelated to phylogeny, suggesting simultaneously higher evolutionary lability and coordination. Synthesis. Our results suggest that life history strategies of tropical trees are generally phylogenetically conserved, but that tree lineages may have some capability of responding to environmental changes by modulating their growth and size. Overall, we provide the largest‐scale synopsis of functional characteristics of Amazonian trees, showing substantial nuance in the evolutionary patterns of individual characteristics and their relationships. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The chapter illustrates the trends in access to higher education based on the right to education for Indigenous populations, and the problems faced by students who self-identify as belonging to Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities during the previous educational levels. The socio-economic changes in Indigenous populations of the Ecuadorian Amazon are diagnosed, including their integration into the capitalist market economy driven by oil exploitation and colonization. The role of other economic sectors and the inclusion of Indigenous students in the school system are explored through indicators such as the net attendance rate in early, primary, and secondary education, school dropout rates, and repetition rates. Reports redacted by the National Institute of Educational Evaluation (Instituto Nacional de Evaluación Educativa, INEVAL) are considered for a prospective analysis.

This study investigates the travel modes and duration of school journeys for Indigenous and mestizo students in upper secondary schools located in both urban and rural areas of the Pastaza province. It also examines the students’ experiences during their journeys to school in different environments. Finally, it analyses the waking-up times of students on school days and discusses their relation to the duration of the journey to school and the need to perform household chores in the morning before going to school. The study uses statistical analyses to extract differences between schools, Indigenous and mestizo students, and genders.

The chapter introduces the main themes of the book and the theoretical framework, influenced by a decolonial orientation that seeks to support arguments in favour of the recovery of indigenous languages and knowledge, which centuries of white and Eurocentric political and cultural hegemony have led to erasure. If Ecuador is a country where a plurality of populations coexists, these must have equal citizenship, which is also achieved through policies of epistemic justice, starting with the recognition of their cultures and knowledge. The cultural aspect of political rights is normatively recognized by the Constitution and by reforms in public education; to this end, Ecuador, like other countries, has implemented an intercultural education policy. However, this term is widely used with various interpretations, from mere functionalist to radical ones. Therefore, the chapter analyses the relationship between different types of interculturality and the epistemic and political rights of the Indigenous populations and nationalities recognized by the state.

Four new species of Sciodaphyllum (Araliaceae) from Ecuador are described, S. balslevii , S. borchsenii , S. oellgaardii and S. pedersenii , each named in honor of a Danish botanist who collected extensively in the country in the late 20th century while contributing to the multi‐decade collaborative botanical research program run by Aarhus University, the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, and the Universidad Nacional de Loja. These new taxa increase to 27 the total number of described species in Ecuador belonging to Sciodaphyllum (whose members were formerly included in Schefflera J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.), which also has an additional 75 new species that remain to be described. Color photos are provided for three of the species along with a scan of the holotype of the fourth taxon. Distribution maps are provided along with preliminary risk of extinction assessments (following the IUCN Red List criteria); S. balslevii is assessed as Least Concern (LC), whereas S. borchsenii and S. oellgaardii are Endangered (EN), and S. pedersenii is Vulnerable (VU).

The density of wood is a key indicator of the carbon investment strategies of trees, impacting productivity and carbon storage. Despite its importance, the global variation in wood density and its environmental controls remain poorly understood, preventing accurate predictions of global forest carbon stocks. Here we analyse information from 1.1 million forest inventory plots alongside wood density data from 10,703 tree species to create a spatially explicit understanding of the global wood density distribution and its drivers. Our findings reveal a pronounced latitudinal gradient, with wood in tropical forests being up to 30% denser than that in boreal forests. In both angiosperms and gymnosperms, hydrothermal conditions represented by annual mean temperature and soil moisture emerged as the primary factors influencing the variation in wood density globally. This indicates similar environmental filters and evolutionary adaptations among distinct plant groups, underscoring the essential role of abiotic factors in determining wood density in forest ecosystems. Additionally, our study highlights the prominent role of disturbance, such as human modification and fire risk, in influencing wood density at more local scales. Factoring in the spatial variation of wood density notably changes the estimates of forest carbon stocks, leading to differences of up to 21% within biomes. Therefore, our research contributes to a deeper understanding of terrestrial biomass distribution and how environmental changes and disturbances impact forest ecosystems.

Tree growth and longevity trade-offs fundamentally shape the terrestrial carbon balance. Yet, we lack a unified understanding of how such trade-offs vary across the world’s forests. By mapping life history traits for a wide range of species across the Americas, we reveal considerable variation in life expectancies from 10 centimeters in diameter (ranging from 1.3 to 3195 years) and show that the pace of life for trees can be accurately classified into four demographic functional types. We found emergent patterns in the strength of trade-offs between growth and longevity across a temperature gradient. Furthermore, we show that the diversity of life history traits varies predictably across forest biomes, giving rise to a positive relationship between trait diversity and productivity. Our pan-latitudinal assessment provides new insights into the demographic mechanisms that govern the carbon turnover rate across forest biomes.

We describe the geographical variation in tree species composition across Amazonian forests and show how environmental conditions are associated with species turnover. Our analyses are based on 2023 forest inventory plots (1 ha) that provide abundance data for a total of 5188 tree species. Within-plot species composition reflected both local environmental conditions (especially soil nutrients and hydrology) and geographical regions. A broader-scale view of species turnover was obtained by interpolating the relative tree species abundances over Amazonia into 47,441 0.1-degree grid cells. Two main dimensions of spatial change in tree species composition were identified. The first was a gradient between western Amazonia at the Andean forelands (with young geology and relatively nutrient-rich soils) and central–eastern Amazonia associated with the Guiana and Brazilian Shields (with more ancient geology and poor soils). The second gradient was between the wet forests of the northwest and the drier forests in southern Amazonia. Isolines linking cells of similar composition crossed major Amazonian rivers, suggesting that tree species distributions are not limited by rivers. Even though some areas of relatively sharp species turnover were identified, mostly the tree species composition changed gradually over large extents, which does not support delimiting clear discrete biogeographic regions within Amazonia.

The isolation and characterization of new Lactobacillus strains from fermented traditional foods is a global trend as it enhances the potential for discovering novel probiotic foods. The fermented cocoa (Theobroma cacao) mucilage is an intriguing substrate for isolating lactic acid bacteria involved in fermentation. This study represents a preliminary investigation into the isolation, quantification, characterization, and immunological activity of Lactobacillus strains derived from cocoa beans sampled from two farmer associations (Kallari and Wiñak) in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. A mother culture was prepared using fermented cocoa pulp, cultivated on selective MRS media. After growth, the isolates were morphologically characterized. A significantly higher bacterial concentration was recorded in Kallari Association samples if compared with Wiñac. A total of 25 strains were isolated, eight of which were rod-shaped and positive to catalase tests and were characterized as Lactobacillus. In vitro, immunological activity was performed on differentiated THP-1 cell lines. Cells were treated with bacterial concentrates, and immunological activity was determined through interleukin-10 expression. Results indicated that W6 strain showed the highest immunological activity. These results indicated that Lactobacillus strains isolated from fermented cocoa pulp in the Ecuadorian Amazon show promise as a new source of probiotics. Keywords: cocoa; lactic acid bacteria; biological activity; isolation; cocoa fermentation; probiotics; cocoa pulp

Long histories of human occupation are emerging for the wet forests of the Andean flank, even ones that are apparently ‘pristine’. The past habitations were societally and temporally complex with sophisticated cultures emerging, flourishing, and disappearing. The Upano River in eastern Ecuador supported such cultures, and yet the timing of occupation and whether their impact on the local ecosystem resulted in lasting ecological changes is not known. Here, using paleoecological reconstructions from Lake Cormorán, located immediately adjacent to the Upano Valley and within 5 km of abandoned mound complexes, we provide a timeline of human influence spanning the last 2770 years. We document the onset of maize cultivation c. 570 BCE, changes in land use within the occupation phase, with evidence of slash-and-burn, slash-and-mulch and silviculture. A gradual decline in forest exploitation presaged an apparent abandonment of the site c. 550 CE. A much later wave of land use that began about 1500 CE, coupled with a regional transition to a wetter climate, produced a distinctive forest composition unique to the last 120 years.

The kinetic study of the solid-liquid extraction of caffeine in Ilex guayusa Loes addresses a critical stage in the isolation of alkaloids such as caffeine. Solid-liquid extraction, a widely used technique, plays a fundamental role in obtaining these compounds. The study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the Peleg equation to model the solid-liquid extraction of caffeine in Ilex guayusa Loes leaves. Caffeine content was determined by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. Extraction kinetics were estimated using the two-parameter Peleg’s equation. The correspondence between the experimental results and those predicted by the model was established by calculating Pearson's correlation. The results indicated significant extraction temperature and time effects on caffeine content, with concentrations ranging from 0.24 to 1.52 g.100 g-1 at different extraction temperatures (30, 40, and 50 °C). The Peleg equation effectively modeled caffeine extraction kinetics, with high Pearson correlation coefficients (0.96895 to 0.99685) confirming its suitability for predicting caffeine concentration. These results highlight the importance of understanding extraction kinetics to optimize caffeine extraction processes, offering valuable insights for industries using Ilex guayusa Loes extracts. Keywords: kinetics; Peleg's equation; aqueous extract; mathematical model

Earth harbours an extraordinary plant phenotypic diversity¹ that is at risk from ongoing global changes2,3. However, it remains unknown how increasing aridity and livestock grazing pressure—two major drivers of global change4–6—shape the trait covariation that underlies plant phenotypic diversity1,7. Here we assessed how covariation among 20 chemical and morphological traits responds to aridity and grazing pressure within global drylands. Our analysis involved 133,769 trait measurements spanning 1,347 observations of 301 perennial plant species surveyed across 326 plots from 6 continents. Crossing an aridity threshold of approximately 0.7 (close to the transition between semi-arid and arid zones) led to an unexpected 88% increase in trait diversity. This threshold appeared in the presence of grazers, and moved toward lower aridity levels with increasing grazing pressure. Moreover, 57% of observed trait diversity occurred only in the most arid and grazed drylands, highlighting the phenotypic uniqueness of these extreme environments. Our work indicates that drylands act as a global reservoir of plant phenotypic diversity and challenge the pervasive view that harsh environmental conditions reduce plant trait diversity8–10. They also highlight that many alternative strategies may enable plants to cope with increases in environmental stress induced by climate change and land-use intensification.

Current social-technical and political conditions threaten the integrity of the Amazon biome. Overcoming these lock-ins requires structural transformations away from conventional economies towards 'socio-bioeconomies' (SBEs). SBEs are economies based on the sustainable use and restoration of Amazonian ecosystems, as well as Indigenous and rural livelihood systems in the region. They include sustainable eco-tourism as well as diversified production and innovative processing of fruits, nuts, oils, medicines, fish and other products deriving from socio-biodiversity. Using a sustainability transitions perspective, we argue for multi-scalar policy changes to sustain, enhance and scale-out and scale-up SBE initiatives. To nurture niche SBE acitivities, we advocate for improvements in infrastructure, value chains and social organizations. To dismantle structural barriers, we call for an end to harmful subsidies, greater representation of marginalized communities in territorial planning, enhanced rural-urban and intersectoral linkages, international collaboration, shifts in demand, and changes in conservation and production narratives. Policies for SBEs must also use clear definitions, participatory processes and a multi-biome approach to avoid perverse outcomes.

Introduction: Lactic acid (LA) production from fossil resources is unsustainable owing to their depletion and environmental concerns. Thus, this study aimed to optimize the production of LA by Lactobacillus casei in a cultured medium containing fruit wastes (FWs) from agro-industries and second cheese whey (SCW) from dairy production, supplemented with maize steep liquor (MSL, 10% v/v) as the nitrogen source. Methods: The FWs were selected based on seasonal availability [early summer (early ripening peach), full summer (melon), late summer (pear), and early autumn (apple)] and SCW as annual waste. Small-scale preliminary tests as well as controlled fermenter experiments were performed to demonstrate the potential of using various food wastes as substrates for LA fermentation, except for apple pomace. Results and discussion: A 5-cycle repeated batch fermentation was conducted to optimize waste utilization and production, resulting in a total of 180.56 g/L of LA with a volumetric productivity of 0.88 g/L∙h. Subsequently, mechanical filtration and enzymatic hydrolysis were attempted. The total amount of LA produced in the 5-cycle repeated batch process was 397.1 g/L over 288 h, achieving a volumetric productivity of 1.32 g/L∙h. These findings suggest a promising biorefinery process for low-cost LA production from agri-food wastes.

Essential oils (EOs) have been investigated for their effectiveness against fungal fruit pathogens. The present review article summarises the EOs that inhibit Alternaria alternata and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in the pre- and post-harvest stages of fruits. Thirty-nine scientific papers focusing on the extraction conditions and the antifungal activity of EOs were selected. The retrieved studies came mainly from China and Brazil. Hydrodistillation has been identified as the most used extractive method. The yields and chemical profiles were variable among the species. The in vitro studies were larger than the in vivo studies. The application of EOs reduced the incidence of fungal diseases in tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), papaya (Carica papaya) and mango (Mangifera indica). EOs resulted as a potential ecological alternative for treating fungal diseases in fruits requiring further investigation.