Abstract
In this study, the chemical composition and functional properties ofAgave americanaL. (AA) leaves were determined. TheAgaveleaves powder had a high amount of total dietary fiber (38.40%), total sugars (45.83%), and protein (35.33%), with a relatively low content in ash (5.94%) and lipid (2.03%). TheAgaveleaves were exhibited with potential food application. TheAgaveinulin showed a significant difference compared with the commercial inulin as for aw (0.275 against 0.282), pH (5.53 against 5.98), ash (2.89% against 1.19%), protein (3.46% against 1.58%), water holding capacity (2.42% against 1.59%), solubility (73 g/L against 113 g/L), and emulsion capacity (14.48% against 21.42%), respectively. The textural properties ofAgaveinulin-pectin mixed gels were examined using instrumental Texture Profile Analysis (TPA). Firmness of the preparedAgaveinulin-pectin mixed gels was lower than the pectin gel (0.3554 N against 5.7238 N, resp.). This reduction of firmness showed a synergetic effect between pectin and inulin. These results suggested a positive interaction betweenAgaveinulin and pectin to decrease the firmness of mixed gels and open a good alternative to obtain value added products from this resource.
Highlights
Agave is usually thrived in semiarid regions such as Mexico, Australia, and Africa
The North American americana L. (AA) plant is a species belonging to such a genus, which is flourishing in South of Africa as well as the Mediterranean area [2]
The present paper reported the basic chemical and physicochemical properties of inulin from leaves of AA obtained by water extraction
Summary
Agave is usually thrived in semiarid regions such as Mexico, Australia, and Africa. Commonly grown species include Agave americana L., Agave attenuata, and Agave tequilana. Agave is the biggest genus that identifies a group of desert plants belonging to the monocotyledonous family called Agaveceae [1]. Pina and leaf base can be used for the commercial production of fructans and long-chain inulin, which can be used as vaccine adjuvant in the pharmaceutical industry [7]. This Agave plant is native to Mexico and other parts of the Caribbean area [8, 9]. Plants were taken from there to Europe, Africa, and the Far-East by the Spanish and Portuguese, where they naturalized rapidly, especially in the high arid regions around the shores of the Mediterranean [10]
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