Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries worldwide and contains a high number of scientifically unexplored species with frequent use as plant foods and protective agents against plant pests and diseases. Most of these uncharacterized species are grown and routinely consumed in the highlands of the country which harbor a well-known biocultural background. My research is mainly focused on the bioprospection of natural sources from central and southern Mexico to elucidate their potential benefits to human health as well as their role as new agroecological agents for preserving foods. To achieve this goal, an interdisciplinary research is performed to identify and evaluate the functionality of extracts, fractions, and specific natural products from plants as well as derived materials under standardized in vitro, in situ and in vivo conditions.
nemesio.villa@conahcyt.mx
necho82@yahoo.com.mx