Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología

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    Elaboración de un manual de Buenas Prácticas de Manufactura (BPM) para la microempresa de lácteos Suamore ubicada en el cantón Ambato provincia de Tungurahua
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Alimentos, 2026-07) Suarez Guato, Jairo Mauricio; Vargas López, José Homero
    The development of a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) manual for the microenterprise Suamore aims to improve the quality standards of the products produced and ensure food safety. The implementation of the manual will enable the microenterprise to produce safe products required by regulatory agencies, guaranteeing the satisfaction of the end consumer. A diagnosis of the current situation of the microenterprise was carried out using the checklist developed based on the provisions of the ARCSA – 016 – 2022 – AKRG regulation, which made it possible to establish corrective and necessary measures to prevent any type of contamination. Based on the diagnosis, the levels of compliance, non-compliance, and not applicable were determined to identify measures to remedy the existing nonconformities. In addition, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) were developed, according to the guidelines required by the microenterprise, from the reception of raw materials to the commercialization of the final product. On the other hand, training sessions were provided to the operational staff of the microenterprise with the objective of strengthening the knowledge acquired and ensuring effective management of regulatory documentation. Finally, the GMP manual was developed for the microenterprise Suamore with the objective of improving the quality management system in the processing plant, ensuring the quality and safety of the product intended for human consumption. Its implementation will allow the microenterprise to raise its quality standards and thereby improve its competitive position in the country's markets.
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    Optimización de un protocolo de extracción de ADN para la detección molecular de ooquistes de Toxoplasma gondii en coles verdes (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata) procedentes del mercado Central de Ambato
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07) Barreno Vargas, Carlos Alexander; De La Torre Olvera, Helena Maritza
    Toxoplasmosis is a foodborne zoonosis of public health relevance, particularly in pregnant women, neonates, and immunocompromised individuals. Raw vegetables may act as vehicles for Toxoplasma gondii oocysts due to contact with contaminated water, soil, and handling practices. In this context, green cabbage marketed in Ambato represents a sanitary matrix of interest, since its compact leaf structure favors the retention of parasitic particles and hinders their removal through washing. This study was framed within the Microbiology and Biotechnology research line, linked to food safety, and was developed using an experimental approach. Green cabbage samples were analyzed through recovery with PBS 1X whit Tween® 80, concentration using the Ritchie technique, microscopic observation with Lugol and safranin staining, and molecular evaluation. To optimize DNA extraction, a 2 cubed factorial design was applied, considering thermal lysis, mechanical lysis, and proteinase K digestion. The recovered DNA was quantified by spectrophotometry, assessed using A260 out of 280 and A260 out of 230 ratios, and verified by conventional PCR and electrophoresis, amplifying a 196 bp fragment. The results showed structures compatible with oocysts in 8 of 21 samples using Lugol staining and in 6 samples using safranin staining. The treatment with 10 thermal shock cycles, 2 mechanical lysis cycles, and 20 microliter of proteinase K showed the best overall performance. The scientific novelty lies in proposing a combined, cost-efficient protocol adapted to plant matrices, achieving 100 percentage PCR detection compared with 50 percentage using the GeneJET® kit.
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    Evaluación de la actividad antifúngica de canela (cinnamomum verum) y clavo de olor (syzygium aromaticum) frente a cepas de Candida sp., Aspergillus sp. y Fusarium sp.
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-07) Aviles Vega, Patricio Israel; Garcés Moncayo, María Daniela
    This research highlights the importance of using natural alternatives, such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) extracts, for the control of pathogenic and filamentous fungi due to their well-recognized antifungal potential. These extracts contain bioactive compounds, such as cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, which affect the integrity of fungal cell membranes and walls, disrupting essential processes for their growth and survival, making them sustainable options compared to synthetic antifungals. To evaluate their effectiveness, extracts were obtained using Soxhlet and hydroalcoholic methods, ensuring adequate yield and preservation of active metabolites. Subsequently, antifungal activity was assessed using 96-well microplates, where the inhibition of Candida albicans, Fusarium sp., and Aspergillus sp. growth was observed at different concentrations, allowing for the precise determination of both the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC). The results demonstrated that the concentrated extracts significantly inhibited the growth of the evaluated fungi, with variations depending on the species and the extraction method used, evidencing that both chemical composition and extraction technique directly influence antifungal activity.
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    Modelado de la cinética de secado de residuos de col (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L.) sometidos a diferentes pretratamientos y de las isotermas de adsorción de agua de la harina obtenida
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Alimentos, 2026-01) Salan Morales, Dennis Andres; Acurio Arcos, Liliana Patricia
    Cabbage, also known as Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L., is one of the most widely consumed vegetables in recent years due to its high vitamin and mineral content. However, its consumption is limited to fresh, high-quality produce. This project evaluated the drying kinetics of cabbage waste subjected to pretreatments (water, steam, and microwaves), in addition to analyzing microwave isotherms. The results were effective, with a reduction in moisture content of more than 80 percent from the initial level. Drying was carried out by convective drying for 8 hours at 65 Celcius degrees, achieving a critical moisture content of approximately 2.68 kg of water per kg of dry solids, together with an equilibrium moisture content of 0.04 kg of water vapor per kg of dry solids. Water loss during drying was adjusted using the Modified Page model to generate the adjustment. Likewise, together with the diffusivity coefficient, it was shown that the pretreatments reduced the activation energy, favoring drying. The stability of the flour was evaluated by generating sorption isotherms, generating significant type II curves due to the nature and macroscopic structure of the material. In the comparison of the BET and GAB models, it was verified that water fixation is more intense at the monolayer level, where the BET model presents a higher correlation, consolidating it as the best option for adsorption comparison.
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    Análisis de la contaminación por el parásito Toxoplasma gondii en el canal de riego Latacunga–Salcedo–Ambato, en el sector Izamba
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-01) Vivanco Valverde, Sandy Adamary; De La Torre Olvera, Helena Maritza
    Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with a wide global distribution that poses a risk to public and veterinary health, causing catastrophic diseases such as toxoplasmosis. Its transmission through irrigation water constitutes a potential route of contamination for both crops and animals intended for human consumption. This study employed direct microscopy and PCR to analyze Toxoplasma gondii oocyst contamination in the Latacunga–Salcedo–Ambato (LSA) irrigation canal, in the Izamba sector. Microscopic results revealed a 45.73 percent contamination with oocysts compatible with Toxoplasma gondii, with a higher frequency in the localities of San Miguel Arcángel, San Francisco de Quillanloma, and Quillanloma la Playa. Physicochemical analyses of the water revealed that the presence of oocysts is not associated with water quality, but rather with factors such as local anthropogenic contamination. In contrast, the results of molecular identification targeting the B1 gene fragment did not detect the presence of Toxoplasma gondii genetic material due to inhibitors during PCR, caused by a mixed parasite load. The LSA canal did not show sufficient Toxoplasma gondii contamination to support the claim of a risk of transmission through irrigation water. However, the canal is a vital water infrastructure for the country's agricultural productivity, and its potential to act as an environmental reservoir for pathogenic parasites poses a threat to food safety, public health, and local veterinary health.
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    Efecto de la aplicación de una comunidad microbiana de un suelo con historial de sequía en la arquitectura radicular del maíz (Zea mays) bajo estrés por sequía
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-01) Sulqui Zumbana, Wellington Mauricio; Sánchez Garnica, Manoella Alejandra
    Drought represents the main abiotic threat to global food security, drastically impacting corn (Zea mays) productivity. Faced with this challenge, the use of beneficial microorganisms associated with the rhizosphere emerges as a key biotechnological strategy. The overall objective of this research project was to analyze the effect of applying a microbial community native to soil with a history of drought on the root system architecture (RSA) of corn under water stress. The methodology was implemented under controlled greenhouse conditions, with an experimental design that involved testing treatments inoculated with the native microbial community compared to sterile controls, all subjected to irrigation suspension upon reaching the V5 phenological stage. The study focused on determining root architecture parameters through image analysis (Rhizo Vision Explorer and Image J) to quantify morphological plasticity and hydraulic efficiency. The results showed that inoculation mitigated water stress by acting as a biostimulant that increased early plant vigor by 64 percent. Under drought conditions, inoculated plants maintained an avoidance strategy, sustaining leaf water homeostasis. This tolerance was supported by aggressive phenotypic plasticity that increased rooting depth and promoted a significant increase in the total length of lateral roots. Crucially, a hydraulic adaptation was induced that manifested itself in the expansion of the metaxylem vessels, ensuring axial conductivity and allowing an optimal balance in the root vs. shoot ratio. It is concluded that the microbial community confers a comprehensive reprogramming that combines intensive root exploration with high vascular water transport efficiency, mitigating growth failure under water deficit.
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    Diseño de cócteles de bacteriófagos con sinergia lítica y estabilidad funcional para el control de Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis de origen avícola ecuatoriano
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-01) Silva Arellano, Katherine Gabriela; Calero Cáceres, William Ricardo
    This study presents a comprehensive approach for the rational design of bacteriophage cocktails aimed at controlling Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis, a pathogen of increasing public health concern within the Ecuadorian poultry industry. Using an initial collection of lytic phages isolated in the country, we conducted an exhaustive characterization of their lytic spectra, bactericidal activity, and functional stability under conditions simulating poultry processing environments, including refrigeration and exposure to controlled chlorine concentrations. This analysis enabled the identification of phages with robust performance, as well as the exclusion of those exhibiting limited or unstable activity. Subsequently, experimental combinations were assessed to determine phage compatibility, distinguishing synergistic interactions from antagonistic effects that could compromise cocktail efficacy. The selected mixtures demonstrated complementary lytic activity, expanded host range coverage, and consistent stability under the operational conditions evaluated. The formulation process was supported by multifactorial statistical modeling and estimated marginal means analyses, ensuring that the final selection was guided by quantitative and reproducible criteria. Overall, the findings demonstrate the feasibility of developing phage cocktails with strong potential for implementation in microbiological control programs within the poultry production chain. This study provides evidence supporting the use of phages as a biotechnological alternative against multidrug-resistant S. Infantis and establishes a solid foundation for subsequent efficacy assessments in meat matrices and real production systems, ultimately contributing to enhanced food safety and mitigation of risks associated with emerging pathogens in Ecuador.
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    Diseño de cócteles de bacteriófagos con sinergia lítica y estabilidad funcional para el control de Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis de origen avícola ecuatoriano
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-01) Santamaria Rodríguez, Justin Alexander; Calero Cáceres, William Ricardo
    This study presents a comprehensive approach for the rational design of bacteriophage cocktails aimed at controlling Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis, a pathogen of increasing public health concern within the Ecuadorian poultry industry. Using an initial collection of lytic phages isolated in the country, we conducted an exhaustive characterization of their lytic spectra, bactericidal activity, and functional stability under conditions simulating poultry processing environments, including refrigeration and exposure to controlled chlorine concentrations. This analysis enabled the identification of phages with robust performance, as well as the exclusion of those exhibiting limited or unstable activity. Subsequently, experimental combinations were assessed to determine phage compatibility, distinguishing synergistic interactions from antagonistic effects that could compromise cocktail efficacy. The selected mixtures demonstrated complementary lytic activity, expanded host range coverage, and consistent stability under the operational conditions evaluated. The formulation process was supported by multifactorial statistical modeling and estimated marginal means analyses, ensuring that the final selection was guided by quantitative and reproducible criteria. Overall, the findings demonstrate the feasibility of developing phage cocktails with strong potential for implementation in microbiological control programs within the poultry production chain. This study provides evidence supporting the use of phages as a biotechnological alternative against multidrug-resistant S. Infantis and establishes a solid foundation for subsequent efficacy assessments in meat matrices and real production systems, ultimately contributing to enhanced food safety and mitigation of risks associated with emerging pathogens in Ecuador.
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    Determinación de los subtipos de Toxoplasma gondii en muestras de lechuga (Lactuca sativa l.) del mercado América de Ambato
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Biotecnología, 2026-01) Pacheco Jiménez, Yesenia Camila; De La Torre Olvera, Helena Maritza
    Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that causes ocular toxoplasmosis, a zoonosis that affects one-third of the world's population and significantly harms pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. It has been shown to have several routes of transmission, mainly related to cat feces and undercooked meat. However, there are also routes of transmission through raw vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa L). In Ecuador, there is no information on the presence of this parasite in vegetable matrices, nor on its molecular characterization. The objective of this research was to determine the presence of T. gondii in lettuce sold in the América market in Ambato and to identify whether it belongs to subtype II or III by amplifying the SAG2 gene and using nested PCR. A descriptive and exploratory analysis was carried out, in which 21 samples from seven market stalls were analyzed. Eleven of these samples were identified microscopically, and seven of them showed molecular evidence of the presence of T. gondii (33, percent). However, none of the samples were compatible with subtypes II or III, suggesting that non-archetypal strains of T. gondii may be circulating in the city. In conclusion, the study determined the presence of T. gondii in lettuce samples and provides preliminary evidence on the genetic variability of the parasite, laying the groundwork for future research.
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    Evaluación de la capacidad inhibidora del aceite esencial de tomillo (Thymus vulgaris) microencapsulado en la conservación de la carne de pollo (Gallus gallus domesticus)
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Alimentos, 2026-01) Jácome Vizuete, Steven Daniel; López Hernández, Orestes Darío
    The preservation of chicken meat (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the Ecuadorian food industry presents a constant challenge due to its high susceptibility to microbial spoilage and high consumption. Finding a way to extend shelf life is crucial. Therefore, by applying the microencapsulation technique, the aim is to influence the inhibitory effect of thyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris). The methodology begins with microencapsulation using proportions of gum arabic and maltodextrin. To verify proper microencapsulation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed on all samples. The microencapsulated product was used as an inhibitor, dissolved in solutions at different concentrations in which the chicken meat was immersed for three different durations, resulting in a total of 10 treatments, including the control. Statistical tools were used for data comparison (Statgraphics 19) and it was concluded that treatment 9 has a higher percentage of germicidal efficiency, which was tested against a control treatment to determine the shelf life at zero degrees Celsius, resulting in 3 days for the control treatment and 10-11 days for the chicken meat samples with the best treatment.