Publications

Year 2022

Crystal Forms of the Antihypertensive Drug Irbesartan: A Crystallographic, Spectroscopic, and Hirshfeld Surface Analysis Investigation

the present study aimed to investigate the effect of ethanol (EtOH), acetonitrile (MeCN), and acetone (ACTN) on obtaining irbesartan (IBS) crystal forms with 2,3-dibromosuccinic acid

Novel pathway for the sonochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles with near-spherical shape and high stability in aqueous media

The present study shows the development of a novel sonochemical synthesis pathway of sub-15 nm silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with quasi-spherical shape and high stability in aqueous suspension

Nanotechnology diffusion strategy: interdisciplinary teaching to primary school teachers

The objective of the research was to disseminate nanotechnology concepts, applications, and benefits among educators from different Costa Rican provinces to increase their acceptance and dissemination of the subject to elementary students

Bacterial antiadhesive microstructured films of PDMS coated with biogenic silica rosettes from pineapple peels residues

This study presents a valuable application of pineapple peel BSRs, becoming an attractive raw material for generating products with economic value such as coatings against non-specific adhesion of cells and bacteria on polydimethylsiloxane

Antibiotic-producing Micrococcales govern the microbiome that inhabits the fur of two- and three-toed sloths, Environmental Microbiology

We investigated the bacterial communities inhabiting the hair of two- (Choloepus Hoffmanni) and three-toed (Bradypus variegatus) sloths and evaluated their potential for producing antibiotic molecules capable of exerting control over the hair microbiota.

Evaluation of piperine as natural coformer for eutectics preparation of drugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases,

Piperine (PIP) was evaluated as a natural coformer in the preparation of multicomponent organic materials for enhancing solubility and dissolution rate of the poorly water-soluble drugs: curcumin (CUR), lovastatin (LOV), and irbesartan (IBS).

Pretreatment methods of lignocellulosic wastes into value-added products: recent advances and possibilities

This review article aims to investigate the use of pretreatment methods that can be applied as an alternative to the usage of residual biomass

Use of nanosensor technologies in the food industry

in this brief review, we intend to explain what a nanosensor is, some of the different kinds of these devices, classifying them according to their chemical, physical, and biological properties, and describe how these features allow the detection of pathogens, undesired compounds, as well as restricted substances.

Year 2021

Exploration of Bioengineered Scaffolds Composed of Thermo-Responsive Polymers for Drug Delivery in Wound Healing

Innate and adaptive immune responses lead to wound healing by regulating a complex series of events promoting cellular cross-talk. Some smart thermo-responsive polymers like chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alginate, and poly(ε-caprolactone) can be used to create biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds. These processed thermo-responsive biomaterials possess 3D architectures similar to human structures.

Curcumin Loaded and Co-loaded Nanosystems: A Review from a Biological Activity Enhancement Perspective

The present review systematizes findings on the enhancement of curcumin’s beneficial effects when it is loaded and co-loaded into different types of nanosystems covering liposomes, polymeric and solid-lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carrier, lipid-polymeric hybrids, self- -assembled and protein-based core-shell systems in relation to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and central nervous system protective bioactivities.

Starch-based biocomposite membrane reinforced by orange bagasse cellulose nanofibers extracted from ionic liquid treatment

Value-added products, such as cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from lignocellulose in agriculture residues, have been widely applied in the production of membranes that have desirable physicochemical characteristics. In this work, orange bagasse residue was used to obtain cellulose nanofiber and then applied to starch membranes as a mechanical reinforcement.

Tropical agroindustrial biowaste revalorization through integrative biorefineries—review part I: coffee and palm oil by-products

This review aims to point out the idle opportunities of agricultural production systems and their associated biowastes to contribute to the establishment of a bioeconomy. Hence, the focus lies on five tropical extensive crops: coffee, oil palm, sugar cane, banana, and pineapple.

Exopolysaccharides Production by Cultivating a Bacterial Isolate from the Hypersaline Environment of Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) in Pretreatment Liquids of Steam-Exploded Quinoa Stalks and Enzymatic Hydr

The halotolerant bacterial strain BU-4, isolated from a hypersaline environment, was identified as an exopolysaccharide (EPS) producer. Pretreatment liquids of steam-exploded quinoa stalks and enzymatic hydrolysates of Curupaú sawdust were evaluated as carbon sources for EPS production with the BU-4 strain, and the produced EPS was characterized using FTIR, TGA, and SEM.

Characterization and Biocompatibility of a Polylactic Acid (PLA) 3D/Printed Scaffold

Tissue engineering, also called regenerative medicine, is the application of the principles and methods of engineering and the biological sciences, to understand the relationship between the structure and function of tissues; and thus, to develop biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve the function of damaged or lost tissues. The tissue engineering triad is composed by the scaffolds, the cells and growth factors, or functionalization molecules

Persea Americana Agro-Industrial Waste Biorefinery for Sustainable High-Value-Added Products

Significant problems have arisen in recent years, such as global warming and hunger. These complications are related to the depletion and exploitation of natural resources, as well as environmental pollution. In this context, bioprocesses and biorefinery can be used to manage agro-industrial wastes for obtaining high-value-added products.

Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Nanocellulose-Derivative as a Potential Radiopharmaceutical Agent

Nanocellulose (NC) has a wide variety of emerging applications, including enzyme immobilization, drug delivery, and imaging diagnosis. On the other hand, derivatives of hydrazinonicotinic acid (HYNIC) have been used as coordination-agents for their binding to 99mTc in the development of potential radiopharmaceuticals.

Residual Brewing Yeast as Substrate for Co-Production of Cell Biomass and Biofilm Using Candida maltosa SM4

Candida maltosa was cultivated in the liquid phase of residual brewing yeast, a major brewery residue, to produce biomass and biofilm. Using response surface methodology, the effect of two variables at two different levels was investigated. The independent variables were agitation speed (at 100 and 200 rpm), and aeration (at 1 and 3 L min−1). Aeration was identified to be important for the production of both biomass and biofilm

Year 2020

Environmentally relevant concentrations of silver nanoparticles diminish soil microbial biomass but do not alter enzyme activities or microbial diversity

The increasing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) due to their known antimicrobial activity, has led to their accumulation in soil ecosystems. However, the impact of realistic environmental concentrations of AgNP on the soil microbial community has been poorly studied. In this work, we have evaluated the impact of AgNPs, which mimic real concentrations in nature, on tropical soils grown with Coffea arabica.

C-12 vs C-3 substituted bile salts: An example of the effects of substituent position and orientation on the self-assembly of steroid surfactant isomers

Biomolecule derivatives are used transversely in nanotechnology. Deciphering their aggregation behavior is a crucial issue for the rational design of functional materials. To this end, it is necessary to build selectively functionalized analog libraries and infer general rules. In this work we enrich the collection highly oriented to the application of steroid derivatives, by reporting a rare example of selectively modified C-12 bile salt.

Recent Advances in Carbon Nanotubes for Nervous Tissue Regeneration

This review article focuses on key recent advances in the use of carbon nanotube (CNT) based technologies in nerve tissue engineering, and describes how neurons interact with CNT interfaces to promote neuronal differentiation, growth, and rebuilding the network. CNTs still represent strong candidates for use in therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extracts from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Wastes, Waste and Biomass Valorization

The synthesis of metallic nanoparticles through an ecological and sustainable process is an important objective to be developed in the area of ​​nanotechnology. In the present work, two different commercial brands of yerba mate from Argentina and its wastes (samples PYM and TYM) were used for the preparation of aqueous extracts, in order to synthesize silver nanoparticles at room temperature (25 ° C).

Cutaneous organ regeneration by virtue of tissue engineering

Cutaneous organ regeneration by virtue of tissue engineering

Silicon nanostructures in biomedicine and biotechnology

Silicon nanostructures in biomedicine and biotechnology

Statistical Approach to Regulation of Nanotechnology: Need, Advantages and Disadvantages

Statistical Approach to Regulation of Nanotechnology: Need, Advantages and Disadvantages

Physical and chemical characterization of PLA nanofibres and PLA/ZrO2 mesoporous composites synthesized by air-jet spinning

Physical and chemical characterization of PLA nanofibres and PLA/ZrO2 mesoporous composites synthesized by air-jet spinning

3D polymeric scaffolds for oral tissue regeneration

3D polymeric scaffolds for oral tissue regeneration

Pretreatment methods of lignocellulosic wastes into value-added products: recent advances and possibilities

Pretreatment methods of lignocellulosic wastes into value-added products: recent advances and possibilities

Microhabitat heterogeneity associated with Vanilla spp. And its influences on the microbial community of leaf litter and soil. Soil Ecol. Lett

Microhabitat heterogeneity associated with Vanilla spp. And its influences on the microbial community of leaf litter and soil. Soil Ecol. Lett

Fungal biosynthesis of lignin-modifying enzymes from pulp wash and Luffa cylindrical for azo dye RB5 biodecolorization using modeling by response surface methodology and artificial neural network,

Fungal biosynthesis of lignin-modifying enzymes from pulp wash and Luffa cylindrical for azo dye RB5 biodecolorization using modeling by response surface methodology and artificial neural network,

Electrospun nanofibers: A nanotechnological approach for drug delivery and dissolution optimization in poorly water-soluble drugs,

Electrospun nanofibers: A nanotechnological approach for drug delivery and dissolution optimization in poorly water-soluble drugs,

Micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose (MNFC) from pineapple (Ananas comosus) stems and their application on polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) wood adhesives,

Micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose (MNFC) from pineapple (Ananas comosus) stems and their application on polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) wood adhesives,

Organic amendments exacerbate the effects of silver nanoparticles on microbial biomass and community composition of a semiarid soil

Organic amendments exacerbate the effects of silver nanoparticles on microbial biomass and community composition of a semiarid soil

Increased Fibroblast Metabolic Activity of Collagen Scaffolds via the Addition of Propolis Nanoparticles,

Increased Fibroblast Metabolic Activity of Collagen Scaffolds via the Addition of Propolis Nanoparticles,

Microplastic ingestion by a herring Opisthonema sp. in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Microplastic ingestion by a herring Opisthonema sp. in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Year 2019

The effect of solution environment and the electrostatic factor on the crystallisation of desmotropes of irbesartan

The experimental conditions necessary to stabilize irbesartan tautomers (SII) in solution and selectively obtain the demmotropic crystal forms are presented here. The 1H and 2H tautomers were stabilized under specific solution conditions and the 2H-tetrazole-imidazole interaction was confirmed by NMR in solution state. Results showed that highly polarizable and polarizable solvents lead to crystallization of IBS form B.

Drug Solubility Enhancement through the Preparation of Multicomponent Organic Materials: Eutectics of Lovastatin with Carboxylic Acids

Lovastatin (LOV) is a medicine used to treat hypercholesterolemia. Recent studies have identified its antioxidant effects and its possible use in the treatment of some types of cancer. However, the low bioavailability related to its poor water solubility limits its use in solid oral dosage forms. Therefore, to improve the solubility of LOV, three eutectic systems of LOV were obtained with the carboxylic acids (BEN), (SAL) and (SIN)

On the comparison between diafiltration and isothermal titration calorimetry: Determination of the amount of analytes bound to water-soluble polymers

Aqueous systems composed of low molecular weight species (LMWS) and water soluble polymers (WSP) have important technological applications. Therefore, continuous advances in characterization techniques are crucial to better understand how these systems interact and subsequently further modulate their properties by fine-tuning their preparation process.

Irbesartan desmotropes: Solid-state characterization, thermodynamic study and dissolution properties.

The objective of this contribution is to demonstrate through a complete solid state characterization, thermodynamic study and dissolution properties that the IBS forms are demotropes that are not monotropically related. However, the intention is also to draw attention to the importance of carrying out strict chemical and solid-state quality controls on IBS raw materials.

Nanocarrier Applied in The Distribution of Drugs in the Assistance for the Cancer Treatment

Cancer is the disease that has the longest human lives worldwide, currently the treatments available for this disease are very aggressive, among which chemotherapy stands out. As an alternative to these treatments, studies have been carried out for the synthesis of nanocarriers that have an advantage over conventional treatments, an increase in the solubility of the drug, allowing a more specific supply of the drug and a lower renal clearance.

Antifungal activity of cotton fabrics finished modified silica-silver- carbon-based hybrid nanoparticles

Antifungal activity of cotton fabrics finished modified silica-silver- carbon-based hybrid nanoparticles

Biorefinery of Rice Husk to Obtain Functionalized Bioactive Compounds

Biorefinery of Rice Husk to Obtain Functionalized Bioactive Compounds

Biocompatibility of Developing 3D-Printed Tubular Scaffold Coated with Nanofibers for Bone Applications

Biocompatibility of Developing 3D-Printed Tubular Scaffold Coated with Nanofibers for Bone Applications

European Pallets Fabricated with Composite Wood Blocks from Tropical Species Reinforced with Nanocrystalline Cellulose: Effects on the Properties of Blocks and Static Flexure of the Pallet,

European Pallets Fabricated with Composite Wood Blocks from Tropical Species Reinforced with Nanocrystalline Cellulose: Effects on the Properties of Blocks and Static Flexure of the Pallet,

Poliuretanos como producto de la Biorefinería de la Industrialización de Arroz

Polyurethanes as a product of the Biorefinery of Rice Industrialization

Application of multilayer carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on nine tropical wood of Costa Rica and their impact on mechanical resistance

Application of multilayer carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on nine tropical wood of Costa Rica and their impact on mechanical resistance

Nanobiodiversity and Biomimetic Adhesives Development: From Nature to Production and Application

Nanobiodiversity and Biomimetic Adhesives Development: From Nature to Production and Application

Nanobiotechnology in Agricultural Sector: Overview and Novel Applications

Nanobiotechnology in Agricultural Sector: Overview and Novel Applications

Nutraceuticals: definition, applied nanoengineering in their production and applications

Nutraceuticals: definition, applied nanoengineering in their production and applications

Polylactic Acid (PLA) as a Bioplastic and its Possible Applications in the Food Industry

Polylactic Acid (PLA) as a Bioplastic and its Possible Applications in the Food Industry

Valorización de subproductos de la industrialización de aceites de soja y de la industria pesquera para la obtención de membranas poliméricas

Recovery of by-products from the industrialization of soybean oils and the fishing industry to obtain polymeric membranes

Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles and their application as an antibacterial agent

Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles and their application as an antibacterial agent

Crystal Engineering to Design of Solids: From Single to Multicomponent Organic Materials

Crystal Engineering to Design of Solids: From Single to Multicomponent Organic Materials

Cardanol: una alternativa ecológica para potenciales aplicaciones en la industria de los polímeros

Cardanol: an ecological alternative for potential applications in the polymer industry

Evaluation of the Interaction of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash with Different Beverages,

Evaluation of the Interaction of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash with Different Beverages,

Evaluation of Surgical Bur Deformation and Bone Surface Roughness After Multiple Uses

Evaluation of Surgical Bur Deformation and Bone Surface Roughness After Multiple Uses

Year 2018

Caracterización estructural de vesículas modificadas con quitosano

Structural characterization of chitosan-modified vesicles

Evaluation of the synergistic effect of EDTA-functionalized chitosan nanoparticles on imipenem delivery in Pseudomonas aeruginosa carbapenem-resistant strain AG1”.

Evaluation of the synergistic effect of EDTA-functionalized chitosan nanoparticles on imipenem delivery in Pseudomonas aeruginosa carbapenem-resistant strain AG1”.

Basis and Applications of Silicon Reinforced Adhesives. Organic & Medicinal Chem I

Basis and Applications of Silicon Reinforced Adhesives. Organic & Medicinal Chem I

Chitosan-silver nanoparticles as an approach to control bacterial proliferation, spores and antibiotic-resistant bacteria,

Chitosan-silver nanoparticles as an approach to control bacterial proliferation, spores and antibiotic-resistant bacteria,

Study of Microorganisms Associated with the Chemical Compounds in a Tropical Soil

Study of Microorganisms Associated with the Chemical Compounds in a Tropical Soil

Electrostatic immobilization of antimicrobial peptides on polyethylenimine and their antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Electrostatic immobilization of antimicrobial peptides on polyethylenimine and their antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Evaluation of Microleakage by Gas Permeability and Marginal Adaptation of MTA and Biodentine™ Apical Plugs: In Vitro Study,

Evaluation of Microleakage by Gas Permeability and Marginal Adaptation of MTA and Biodentine™ Apical Plugs: In Vitro Study,

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extracts from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Wastes,

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extracts from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Wastes,

Bio Refinery of Oily Wastes

Bio Refinery of Oily Wastes

Biogenic silica-based microparticles obtained as a sub-product of the nanocellulose extraction process from pineapple peels.

Biogenic silica-based microparticles obtained as a sub-product of the nanocellulose extraction process from pineapple peels.

Physico–Chemical Characterization of Dentinal Surface Treated with Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

Physico–Chemical Characterization of Dentinal Surface Treated with Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

Year 2017

Effects of adding TiO2 nanoparticles to a water-based varnish for wood applied to nine tropical woods of Costa Rica exposed to natural and accelerated weathering

Effects of adding TiO2 nanoparticles to a water-based varnish for wood applied to nine tropical woods of Costa Rica exposed to natural and accelerated weathering

Isomerization of Fatty Acids A Cellular Barrier Mechanism in Nanotechnology

Isomerization of Fatty Acids A Cellular Barrier Mechanism in Nanotechnology

Gold, silver, copper and silicone hybrid nanostructure cytotoxicity

Gold, silver, copper and silicone hybrid nanostructure cytotoxicity

Silver Nanoparticles: Technological Advances, Societal Impacts, and Metrological Challenges

Silver Nanoparticles: Technological Advances, Societal Impacts, and Metrological Challenges

Propuesta de incorporación de la nanotecnología en la educación formal media en Costa Rica

Proposal for the incorporation of nanotechnology in formal secondary education in Costa Rica

Production of Starch Films Using Propolis Nanoparticles as Novel Bioplasticizer

Production of Starch Films Using Propolis Nanoparticles as Novel Bioplasticizer

Synthesis and characterization of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) from acrylated soybean oil and alpha-resorcylic acid: Part 1. Kinetic of network formation

Synthesis and characterization of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) from acrylated soybean oil and alpha-resorcylic acid: Part 1. Kinetic of network formation

Synthesis and characterization of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) from acrylated soybean oil and alpha-resorcylic acid: Part 2. Thermo-mechanical properties and linear fracture mechanics

Synthesis and characterization of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) from acrylated soybean oil and alpha-resorcylic acid: Part 2. Thermo-mechanical properties and linear fracture mechanics

Nanobiodiversity: The potential of extracellular nanostructures.

Nanobiodiversity: The potential of extracellular nanostructures.

Encapsulation of Bacterial Metabolic Infiltrates Isolated from Different Bacillus Strains in Chitosan Nanoparticles as Potential Green Chemistry-Based Biocontrol Agents against Radopholus similis

Encapsulation of Bacterial Metabolic Infiltrates Isolated from Different Bacillus Strains in Chitosan Nanoparticles as Potential Green Chemistry-Based Biocontrol Agents against Radopholus similis

Variation of physical properties of rigid polyurethane foams synthesized from renewable sources with different commercial catalysts

Variation of physical properties of rigid polyurethane foams synthesized from renewable sources with different commercial catalysts

Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose derived from pineapple residues

Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose derived from pineapple residues

Production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by Bacillus megaterium DSM32 from residual glycerol of the Bioenergy Industry

Production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by Bacillus megaterium DSM32 from residual glycerol of the Bioenergy Industry

Synthesis and Reinforcement of Thermostable Polymers Using Renewable Resources

Synthesis and Reinforcement of Thermostable Polymers Using Renewable Resources

NanoUV-VIS: An Interactive Visualization Tool for Monitoring the Evolution of Optical Properties of Nanoparticles Throughout Synthesis Reactions

NanoUV-VIS: An Interactive Visualization Tool for Monitoring the Evolution of Optical Properties of Nanoparticles Throughout Synthesis Reactions

Cholic acid covalently bound to multi-walled carbon nanotubes: Improvements on dispersion stability

Cholic acid covalently bound to multi-walled carbon nanotubes: Improvements on dispersion stability

Characterization and cellular response of 3D-scaffold functionalized with PLA nanofibers.

Characterization and cellular response of 3D-scaffold functionalized with PLA nanofibers.

Castor oil (Ricinus communis) supercritical methanolysis,

Castor oil (Ricinus communis) supercritical methanolysis,

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using mint leaf extract (Mentha piperita) and its antibacterial activity

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using mint leaf extract (Mentha piperita) and its antibacterial activity

Nanobots: Development and Future

Nanobots: Development and Future

Interfactant action of an amphiphilic polymer upon directing graphene oxide layer formation on sapphire substrates

Interfactant action of an amphiphilic polymer upon directing graphene oxide layer formation on sapphire substrates

Development and characterization of biomaterials for biomimetic tissue applications

Development and characterization of biomaterials for biomimetic tissue applications

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized with NPsAg-Ethylene Glycol (C2H6O2) on Brown Decay and White Decay Fungi of Nine Tropical Woods

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized with NPsAg-Ethylene Glycol (C2H6O2) on Brown Decay and White Decay Fungi of Nine Tropical Woods

Extracellular micro and nanoestructures forming the velvet worn solidified adhesive secretation

Extracellular micro and nanoestructures forming the velvet worn solidified adhesive secretation

Microgravity and Nanomaterials

Microgravity and Nanomaterials

Recycling and Elimination of Wastes obtained from Agriculture by using Nanotechnology: Nanosensors.

Recycling and Elimination of Wastes obtained from Agriculture by using Nanotechnology: Nanosensors.

Year 2016

Biopulp from pineapple leaf fiber produced by colonization with two white-rot fungi: Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus.

Biopulp from pineapple leaf fiber produced by colonization with two white-rot fungi: Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus.

Implementation of diverse non-centrosymmetric layer concepts for tuning the interface activity of a magnesium alloy.

Implementation of diverse non-centrosymmetric layer concepts for tuning the interface activity of a magnesium alloy.

Controlled Deposition of Gold and Silver on a Porous Silicone Matrixs.

Controlled Deposition of Gold and Silver on a Porous Silicone Matrixs.