在2026年5月8日发布的报道中，UNAM的研究人员披露了三种新型抗生素的研发进展，来源于蝎毒（Diplocentrus melici）与哈瓦那辣椒（habanero pepper，Capsicum chinense），其目标是应对耐药性问题。由UNAM生物技术学院Lourival Domingos Possani Postay领导的团队从蝎毒中分离出两种无色 benzoquinones（异环化合物，无氨基酸组成），其在空气中会发生氧化并分别变为蓝色和红色，帮助确定化学结构并实现实验室合成。
实验结果显示，蓝色 benzoquinone 对 Mycobacterium tuberculosis（结核分枝杆菌）有效，红色 benzoquinone 对 Staphylococcus aureus 有效，后续实验还发现蓝色分子同样可作用于 Acinetobacter baumannii。Richard Zare参与了结构验证；Rogelio Hernández Pando在诱导性结核小鼠模型中确认了其高度有效性。该分子在墨西哥与南非已完成专利布局，目前正推进纳米颗粒稳定与保护体系，以支持体内安全给药；下一步是成本较高的临床试验，研究者希望与国家制药企业合作实现大规模生产。
UNAM另一研究小组由Gerardo Corzo Burguete与Georgina Estrada Tapia主导，在habanero bell pepper中发现 defensin J1-1 并开发出药物 XisHar J1-1，靶向 WHO 将其列为高优先级病原菌的 Pseudomonas aeruginosa。该团队通过基因工程改造微生物并用 submerged fermentation（液体发酵）实现大规模制备，再提取并纯化为抗生素候选物，显示出对 P. aeruginosa 的活性并具备潜在抗真菌用途。已公开的局限是未使用患者来源的耐药株，而是实验室菌株；此外，分子在不同生物体内可能降解。防御素及其合成变体已在墨西哥获批件，后续将与耐药临床分离株验证疗效，研究者认为其对抗抗生素耐药仍具前景。
In a May 8, 2026 report, UNAM researchers reported progress on three antibiotics derived from scorpion venom (*Diplocentrus melici*) and habanero pepper (*Capsicum chinense*), aimed at antimicrobial resistance. A team led by Lourival Domingos Possani Postay at UNAM’s Biotechnology Institute isolated two colorless benzoquinones from scorpion venom; both oxidize in air, one turning blue and one turning red, which enabled structural elucidation and laboratory synthesis.
Results showed the blue benzoquinone is active against *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* and the red benzoquinone against *Staphylococcus aureus*, with later work also showing the same substance works against *Acinetobacter baumannii*. Richard Zare validated part of the chemical-physics validation; Rogelio Hernández Pando confirmed high efficacy in a mouse model of induced tuberculosis. The venom-derived molecules are already patented in Mexico and South Africa. Current work focuses on nanoparticle stabilizers and protection systems for safe systemic use; the next step is costly clinical trials, and collaboration with a national pharmaceutical company is being sought for scale-up.
A parallel UNAM group led by Gerardo Corzo Burguete and Georgina Estrada Tapia identified defensin J1-1 in habanero pepper and developed the biotechnological product XisHar J1-1, targeting *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, a WHO high-priority pathogen. The team used bacterial genetic modification and submerged fermentation to produce J1-1 defensin at scale, then extracted and purified it for antibiotic use. Although efficacy is promising and both defensin and synthetic variants are patented in Mexico, the study used only a laboratory strain, not resistant patient isolates; future work must test clinical resistant isolates. The groups also noted possible degradation in different organisms, yet still view these molecules as promising strategies against rising antimicrobial resistance.