Effect of Agave americana and Agave salmiana Ripeness on Saponin\nContent from Aguamiel (Agave Sap)

Abstract

Steroidal saponins have shown beneficial\nhealth effects. Agave spp. leaves and\nrhizomes are sources of these compounds, but their presence has not\nbeen reported in the aguamiel. Aguamiel is the sweet edible sap from\nmature agave, and its quality is influenced by the plant ripening\nstage. The purpose of this research was to identify and quantitate\nsaponins in aguamiel from Agave americana and Agave salmiana at two ripening\nstages. Saponins and sapogenins were identified with HPLC/ESI-MS/TOF\nand quantitated with HPLC/ELSD. Results proved the presence of saponins\nderived from kammogenin, manogenin, gentrogenin, and hecogenin. The\nsaponin content in aguamiel from immature A. salmiana was 2-fold higher (478.3 protodioscin equivalents (PE) μg/g\naguamiel (DM)) compared with A. americana (179.0 PE μg/g aguamiel (DM)). In both species, saponin content\ndecreased when plants reached sexual maturity. This should be considered\nbefore evaluating the effects of Agave spp. as a source of bioactive saponins.