Biological activities ofAgaveby‐products and their possible applications in food and pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Agave leaves are considered a by-product of alcoholic beverage production (tequila, mezcal and bacanora) because they are discarded during the production process, despite accounting for approximately 50% of the total plant weight. These by-products constitute a potential source of Agave extracts rich in bioactive compounds, such as saponins, phenolic compounds and terpenes, and possess different biological effects, as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo tests (e.g. antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, immunomodulatory, antiparasitic and anticancer activity). Despite their positive results in biological assays, Agave extracts have not been widely evaluated in food systems and pharmaceutical areas, and these fields represent a potential route to improve the usage of Agave plants as food additives and agents for treating medical diseases. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antifungal activity of phytochemical compounds of extracts from Mexican semi-desert plants against Fusarium oxysporum from tomato by microdilution in plate method

“…: 1 -19 -14 -are capable of inhibiting the growth of many fungus species (Chen et al, 2019). In the case of the A. lechuguilla extracts, the antifungal activity attributed to compounds like flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and polyphenols (López-Romero et al, 2018). Finally, the C. illinoinensis extract could be an essential source of non-polar compounds with antimicrobial activity, even though these extracts contain an unknown number of molecules (Cruz-Vega et al, 2008).…”

“…Finally, the C. illinoinensis extract could be an essential source of non-polar compounds with antimicrobial activity, even though these extracts contain an unknown number of molecules (Cruz-Vega et al, 2008). Thus all compounds present in plant extracts award antifungal activity disrupting the cell membrane, affecting the mitochondrial function, arresting cell cycle processes at the S-phase, and provoking leakage of intercellular components due to the deterrent effect as in case of saponins (López-Romero et al, 2018).…”

The genus Agave in agroforestry systems of Mexico

“…The leaves are left in the fields were harvesting of the agave heads occur, bagasses are the fibers that are disposed after distillation (Martínez-Gutiérrez et al 2015) and vinasses are acidic liquids that are also disposed, mainly to water bodies, after distillation (Robles-González et al 2012). These sub-products which represent a development potential in agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals and an alternative to complement the economy of producers (López-Romero et al 2018). Likewise, it is important to guarantee the preservation of important elements of the identity of the communities and cultural groups that host this diversity.…”

Review and in silico analysis of fermentation, bioenergy, fiber, and biopolymer genes of biotechnological interest inAgaveL. for genetic improvement and biocatalysis

“…Lowering the content in Agave of saponins would be important for increasing the yield of fermented products, improving alcohol production. Also, the use of Agav e saponins to inhibit the growth of yeasts and their application in biocontrol against pathogens is interesting …”

“…Also, the use of Agave saponins to inhibit the growth of yeasts and their application in biocontrol against pathogens is interesting. 176,177 Presence of 2-undecanone in leaves of A. attenuata Salm-Dyck has been reported, 178 a metabolite found in plant extracts that is used as a commercial insect repellent, [179][180][181] is harmless to humans, and its use is authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. 182 The compound has proven effective for biological control in several species attacking economically important crops, its action mechanism having been suggested to be related to its agonist or antagonist modulation activity on olfactory receptors, 183 so isolation from Agave of new metabolites for their use as bioinsecticides is a research line that could be explored.…”