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Biological activities of Agave by-products and their possible applications in food and pharmaceuticals.

Julio Cesar López-RomeroJesus Fernando Ayala-ZavalaGustavo Adolfo González-AguilarEtna Aida Peña-RamosHumberto González-Rios
Published in: Journal of the science of food and agriculture (2017)
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.
Keyphrases
  • human health
  • anti inflammatory
  • blood pressure
  • healthcare
  • staphylococcus aureus
  • body mass index
  • physical activity
  • oxidative stress
  • candida albicans
  • high throughput
  • weight loss
  • liver injury
  • ionic liquid
  • drug induced