Agave Potatorum Research Articles

Nutrient Solutions and Drought in Plant Growth and Fructans Content of Agave potatorum Zucc

The Agave potatorum Zucc. is a wild species endemic to Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico. The stem or “head” of the plants of this species contains a large amount of fructans, which, in conjunction with their crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), helps the agave to survive droughts. The soluble carbohydrates are used to produce mezcal. The objective was to evaluate growth and content of fructans of A. potatorum young plants grown in soil and perlite substrate, fertigated with three nutrient solutions, and subjected to drought. Eight-month-old plants were used and, for 15 months, were fertigated with nutrient solutions: 1) Steiner, 2) Hoagland and Arnon, and 3) Urrestarazu. Irrigation was later suspended to simulate a 5-month drought and induce stress. During fertigation, the vegetative growth was greater in plants irrigated with Hoagland and Arnon and Urrestarazu solutions in perlite and in soil. After the period of water deficit stress, plants in perlite substrate fertigated with the Hoagland and Arnon solution accumulated more fructans in the heads, reaching a maximum of 75%, than plants in soil substrate (42%).

Acid pretreatment optimization for xylose production from Agave tequilana Weber var. azul, Agave americana var. oaxacensis, Agave karwinskii, and Agave potatorum bagasses using a Box-Behnken design

There is a growing interest in the use of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production leading to by-products with high added value such as xylitol, a sweetener obtained from chemical synthesis or fermentative pathways, characterized by high degree of sweetness, recommended for people with diabetes, making it a product of great interest in the industrial market. The objective of this study was to use the bagasse of four agave plants from Mexico: Agave tequilana Weber var. azul (AT), Agave Americana var. oaxacensis (AA), Agave karwinskii (AK), and Agave potatorum (AP) to obtain xylose as an alternative for xylitol or ethanol production. The dilute acid pretreatment was optimized to obtain the maximum concentration of xylose and the minimum concentration of acetic acid, using a Box-Behnken design, where H2SO4 concentration, hydrolysis time, and liquid-to-solid ratio were evaluated. Xylose concentrations of 23.18 g/L (AT), 27.63 g/L (AA), 31.8 g/L (AK), and 24.42 g/L (AP) were achieved. It was also observed that by using more concentrated H2SO4 solutions, higher concentrations of xylose were obtained, but also high concentrations of acetic acid (1.02 g/L in AT, 2.3 g/L in AA, 3.46 g/L in AK, and 2.01 g/L in AP). This study shows that AT, AA, AK, and AP are a promising alternative feedstock for bioethanol or xylitol production using xylose as substrate.

AGAVES SILVESTRES Y CULTIVADOS EMPLEADOS EN LA ELABORACIÓN DE MEZCAL EN SOLA DE VEGA, OAXACA, MÉXICO

<p>To determine the species of agaves most used for the elaboration of artisanal mescal, as well as their productive attributes and availability, interviews with producers were conducted and a ranking matrix was obtained. The agaves with greater scores were: “arroqueño” (<em>Agave americana</em> L. var. <em>oaxacensis</em> Gentry); the “espadín” and the “coyote” (<em>A. angustifolia</em> Haw and <em>A. americana </em>L.) all with high yields, demand in the market, rooting among the producers, but scarce in the region. In a second group there was located the maguey “tobalá” (<em>Agave potatorum</em> Zucc) the most emblematic culturally speaking, with high demand in the region, but with a low yield; besides it is only found in the wild, so it is already scarce. In the last block the agaves found: were “mexicano” (<em>Agave aff. rodacantha</em>), “barril” (<em>Agave rhodacantha</em> Trel), “jabalí” and tobasiche (<em>Agave karwinskii</em> Zucc.). The maguey coyote (<em>Agave americana</em> L.) had the highest yield of mescal with 17.78 ml / kg / year, the maguey jabalí (<em>Agave kerchovei</em> Lem) had the lowest yield with 6.16 ml / kg / year, while the espadín (<em>Agave angustifolia</em> Haw) was in an intermediate position. The agaves that had a low yield, small boll size and medium local rooting were generally used by non-certified producers as fillings to complete production lots.</p>

Plant responses to fire in a Mexican arid shrubland

BackgroundFire responses of species in arid environments have only been scarcely studied. We studied four species (Dasyliron lucidum Zucc., Juniperus deppeana Steud., Echinocactus platyacanthus Link & Otto, and Agave potatorum Zucc.) in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. The objectives were to describe and quantify survival and resprouting, as well as the factors determining them, for the selected species. Six months after a 330 ha wildfire in 2014, 32 plots were established on three transects. Forest dasometric and fire severity variables were recorded. Logistic regression was utilized to obtain mortality and resprouting probability models, as well as linear regression to detect relationships among post- and pre-fire variables.ResultsAll species had high survival rates (74.5 to 97.7%). All surviving D. lucidum individuals resprouted apically. For J. deppeana, the probability of mortality was directly related to fire scar height on the trunk and inversely related to its diameter, whereas the probability of crown recovery was inversely related to the proportion of the tree height scorch. For E. platyacanthus, necrosed height was directly related to plant height. There was a positive relationship between basal area and the emission of new leaves for the A. potatorum.ConclusionsIn the different species, several traits that allowed high fire survival rates were observed (e.g., thick cortex or bark, fleshy non-flammable leaves, flammable leaves that reduce fire intensity, high volume to surface ratio). Many of these were primarily linked to drought resistance. All species gain fire resistance or tolerance as they increase in size. We concluded that the studied arid ecosystem of Mexico can withstand an altered or a base fire regime.

Varietal and germinative characterization of Agave potatorum (Asparagaceae) seeds with different origins

Background: Agave potatorum reproduces mainly through seeds is widely collected for the mezcal production, and there is currently a marked decrease in their wild populations. Therefore, to contribute to its sustainable use, it is important to characterize the morphology of its seeds and to know their germinative characteristics.Research question: Do the year and the collection site have an effect on the size, color, viability and germination capacity of Agave potatorum seeds?Species studied: Agave potatorum Zucc.Study site and period of research: Seeds of Agave potatorum were collected in Oaxaca, Mexico: Miahuatlán (MIAH), in 2014; Coixtlahuaca (COIX), in 2015; and Zaachila (ZAA), in 2015 and 2016.Methods: For the seeds, we analyzed four physical descriptors, five color coordinates, and nine germination variables. We used a completely randomized design with four replications (100 seeds). An analysis of variance, a comparison of means, and a linear correlation analysis were performed.Results: We found that the ZAA16 seeds showed the highest values ( P < 0.05) for weight and size, and for the luminosity coordinate (L*, 15.2). Color coordinate values revealed a black color of the seeds, which significantly diminished in luminosity with seeds age and varied with their origin. The coordinate L* was correlated significantly with the total dry weight of seedlings and seed volume.Conclusions: Agave potatorum seeds significantly changed their physical dimensions and germination capacity according to their origin. The luminosity of the black color of seeds decreased with seed age and was correlated with seed volume and seedling total dry weight.

Quick synthesis of gold nanoparticles at low temperature, by using Agave potatorum extracts

Gold nanoparticles were synthetized in short time by a novel and easy method by using an aqueous extract from Agave potatorum. The UV–Vis data show a characteristic band at 540 nm, from the minute 2 of synthesis that intensifies through the reaction time advances, by X-Ray diffraction and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED), it is demonstrated the polycrystallinity of the samples, exhibiting the specific features of metallic gold; the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) results show pseudospherical nanoparticles with an average size of 14 nm corresponding to the synthesized samples at 10 min and 22 nm in the case of the synthesized samples at 20 min. The results suggest that the Agave extract works also as stabilizer.

Volatile Compound Profiles in Mezcal Spirits as Influenced by Agave Species and Production Processes

Mezcal is a traditional Mexican spirit produced by distilling fermented Agave. The effects of Agave species, origin, and season on the volatile compound profile were studied in mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico. Liquid-liquid extraction was used to isolate volatile compounds from mezcals made from Agave angustifolia Haw. and Agave potatorum Zucc. These compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Eighty-four volatile compounds were identified, including alcohols, esters, fatty acids, ketones, furans, and others. Using variance analysis, it was possible to observe significant differences for the 26, 24, and 10 compounds in mezcal samples that differed based on Agave species, origin, and season. 3-Ethyl-phenol was identified only in samples of mezcal from A. angustifolia, and this volatile compound could be used as an authentic marker of mezcal from A. angustifolia (p ≤ 0.01).

ANATOMÍA Y MORFOLOGÍA DE PLANTAS MICROPROPAGADAS-ACLIMATADAS DE Agave potatorum Zucc. FERTIRRIGADAS EN VIVERO

Agave potatorum Zucc. es una especie silvestre, colectada sin planes de manejo, por lo que se propone propagarla in vitro. El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar las características morfológicas y anatómicas de plantas de A. potatorum micropropagadas-aclimatadas y fertirrigadas con cantidades diferentes de nutrimentos en vivero. Durante los años 2014-2015 se estableció un experimento en vivero, donde 180 plantas micropropagadas-aclimatadas se separaron en seis grupos de 30 plantas para fertirrigarlas dos veces por semana durante ocho meses, con una de seis diluciones de la solución universal de Steiner (5, 20, 40, 60, 80 y 100 %). Transcurridos ocho meses, se evaluó el área foliar (AF), área de la sección transversal de la hoja más grande en su parte basal (AsT), número de haces vasculares (AV), materia seca acumulada en la parte aérea (PA = tallo + hojas), en la raíz (R) y total (MST = PA + R). Las plantas crecieron en relación directa con la cantidad de nutrimentos que recibieron. Las plantas fertirrigadas al 5 y al 100 % de concentración de nutrimentos tuvieron respectivamente: 529.4 y 965.6 cm2 de AF, 1.4 y 2.0 cm2 de AsT, 201.5 y 263.5 de AV, 18.9 y 37.3 g de PA, 8.1 y 12.0 g de R y 27 y 49 g de MST.

Phenotyping the Genetic Diversity of Wild Agave Species that Coexist in the Same Spatial Region

Phenotypic characteristics are important to identify species and provide valuable information for the uses in plant breeding. The aim of this study was to characterize through morphological traits the genetic diversity of the Agave genus under wild and semi-wild culture conditions in Maguey Largo region in Oaxaca, Mexico. Through field trips, eleven morphological characteristics of the Agave species were recorded. Principal component analysis (PCA), phylogenetic trees, and correlation analyses, were performed. Seven wild species were identified: Agave potatorum Zucc., A. seemanniana, A. nussaviorum subsp. nussaviorum, A. angustifolia Haw., A. marmorata Roezl., A. karwinskii Zucc. and A. americana var. Americana. Also, a semi-wild unclassified specie Agave sp. was found. The values of the first four principal components in the PCA explain more than 89% of the total morphological variance. The dendrogram of the agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) shown a high similarity between the species and divide them in two main cluster with one unassociated specie (A. karwinskii Miahuatlán shape). Following the different analyses done, we observed a very close relationship between A. potatorum and A. nussaviorum, and dissociated from A. seemanniana, which are belonging to the “Tobala” complex and never described before. The results obtained in this work suggest a great genetic diversity expressed in a wide morphological variety of agaves in Oaxaca; which can be used in futures molecular studies.

Effects of traditional management for mescal production on the diversity and genetic structure of Agave potatorum (Asparagaceae) in central Mexico

Agave potatorum is a wild endemic species of Mexico. Its stems are used for mescal production, which cancels sexual reproduction. Agaves extraction from forests decreases their reproductive success and demographic performance. We evaluated patterns of genetic diversity and structure of wild populations under and without extraction in order to identify effects of its use and actions required for conserving genetic variation. This study was conducted with seven SSR markers in 12 populations representing the entire distribution area of the species. Standard parameters of genetic diversity, differentiation, structure and genetic similarity of populations were calculated and analyzed. The populations studied showed intermediate to high genetic diversity (H e = 0.36–0.64), compared with other Agave species so far studied. The wild category was the most diverse (H T = 0.87), but without significant differences with respect to populations under extraction (H T = 0.72), and two germplasm banks sampled (H T = 0.69). High structure among populations (Φ PR = 0.38) and inbreeding levels (F IS = 0.26, F IT = 0.55) were identified; a 3 % of genetic diversity being distributed among management status where germplasm banks represent a genetic pool with incipient divergence from the other categories. Bayesian analysis indicated two genetic groups. Our study suggests slight effects of management on genetic diversity of A. potatorum, apparently related to alterations of reproductive biology and pollination patterns.

Facilitation of Agave potatorum: An ecological approach for assisted population recovery

Extraction of Agave potatorum from forests for mescal production is a main cause of its populations’ decline and extinction in central Mexico. Sustainable harvest of agaves and populations’ recovery actions are needed for protecting this and other agave species similarly threatened. Our study aimed to identify mechanisms determining seedling establishment and sapling plants growth of A. potatorum in order to generate information helpful for enhancing populations’ growing and reforestation strategies. We hypothesized that (1) A. potatorum plants are spatially associated, probably species-specific, to shrub species, the frequency of facilitation being higher in the earlier stages of life cycle, varying among sites under different stress conditions, (2) germination and seedling survival are higher beneath nurse plants canopy compared with open areas, seeds and plants from a particular site performing better in the original conditions than in others, (3) nurse plants have a positive effect in the net balance of the growth rate of A. potatorum despite the negative effects of shade on carbon gain. We studied the association of A. potatorum with shrub and tree species by analysing their distribution patterns in two sites with contrasting environments (one relatively more xeric than the other). In these site we conducted experiments for testing seedling establishment and growth of agaves. Reciprocal transplanting experiments tested seed germination and seedling survival of agaves in open areas and beneath nurse plants. Two-years-old saplings were planted in open areas and beneath nurse plants to analyse their relative growth rate. We found a significant association of both young and adult plants to nurse plants, some of them being markedly specific. Germination and survival were higher under nurse plants, we also found negative effects of shade in carbon gain, but growth was higher there than in open spaces. We suggest that protection against solar radiation is a main factor influencing the association. Provenance of seeds was significant for germination success and early establishment. Nurse plants are crucial for the establishment of A. potatorum; however, several species may play the role of nurse plants and these may be different among sites. Therefore, rapid identification of nurse plant species in different vegetation types would allow agile actions for successful reforestation. Manual dispersion of seeds beneath canopies of shrubs that are high quality nurse plants, as well as producing sapling agaves in nurseries and transplanting them after two years associated to nurse plants are recommendable techniques for populations’ recovery.

Population Dynamics and Sustainable Management of Mescal Agaves in Central Mexico: Agave potatorum in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley

Population Dynamics and Sustainable Management of Mescal Agaves in Central Mexico: Agave potatorum in the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Valley. A total of 37 agave species are extracted from forests of Mexico for producing mescal. This activity has caused decline of numerous populations, and their sustainable management is indispensable for preventing species extinctions. Our study analyzed demographic information about Agave potatorum in the Tehuacan Valley with the goal of developing proposals for sustainable use for agaves in general. We studied protected populations in two contrasting environments, and through prospective analyses and real data about extraction and reforestation rates, we simulated different scenarios of actions. Our analyses indicate that the populations’ growth rates (λ) in conserved populations are 0.9903 ± 0.062 and 1.021 ± 0.062, but viability analyses suggest that even those unmanaged populations would decrease 30% to 90% in 30 years. Survival and growth of early agave plant stages contribute most to λ; adult stages and fecundity have low contribution but their conservation is crucial for population recovery. Based on a successful management experience with A. cupreata, we suggest that at least 30% of reproductive plants should be left to ensure seed provision for natural and assisted populations’ recovery. The reintroduction of plants at two early stages of growth is recommended, particularly 1–2-year-old plants, the size categories with the highest contribution to λ. Current efforts by local people to promote cattle exclusion from forest areas, seed collection, and their propagation in nurseries, and actions for recovery and conservation of populations are strategies of high value. Our research contributes to optimizing the effectiveness of such actions and aids in the conservation of other agave species.

Distribution, abundance and traditional management of Agave potatorum in the Tehuacán Valley, Mexico: bases for sustainable use of non-timber forest products.

BackgroundAgave species have been used for thousands of years in the Tehuacán Valley, but the current mescal production has great impact on populations of the most used species. Harvesting of A. potatorum takes place before sexual reproduction and the over-extraction put local populations at high risk. In the community of San Luis Atolotilán (SLA), mescal has been produced for one century but the growing mescal trade is leading to intensified agave extraction. Our study evaluated distribution and abundance of A. potatorum, extraction rates, management practices and economic importance for SLA households. The unbalanced relation between availability and extraction rates would be an indicator of risk requiring sustainable management strategies. Our case study aspires contributing to analyze general patterns for sustainable use for this and other forest products highly extracted.MethodsWe used bioclimatic modeling to project a map of potential distribution of the species, and ecological sampling to estimate the total availability of harvestable agaves within the territory of SLA. We used participant observation, surveys and semi-structured interviews with producers and households of SLA to document agave uses, technological and socio-economic aspects of mescal production, and to estimate extraction rates of agaves.ResultsMescal production, medicine and fodder are the most important uses of A. potatorum. Its distribution area is nearly 608 ha where annually occur on average 7,296 harvestable plants, nearly 54 to 87% of them being harvested. Mescal production currently is a non-sustainable activity, requiring great changes in patterns of extraction and management adopting sustainable criteria. Local people started management planning to ensure the future availability of agaves, and the ecological information of this study has been helpful in constructing their decisions. Technical support for improving local experiences for managing populations’ recovering is a priority. Interaction of scholars and local people for solving this problem is already taking place and strengthening this process may be determinant for successful results.ConclusionsStrategies for protecting particular populations, temporal substitution of agave species for mescal production, implementation of restoration and organization for fear commerce are needed for improving sustainable use of A. potatorum.

Agavins from Agave angustifolia and Agave potatorum affect food intake, body weight gain and satiety-related hormones (GLP-1 and ghrelin) in mice

Agavins act as a fermentable dietary fiber and have attracted attention due to their potential for reducing the risk of disease. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of supplementation using 10% agavins with a short-degree of polymerization (SDP) from Agave angustifolia Haw. (AASDP) or Agave potatorum Zucc. (APSDP) along with chicory fructans (RSE) as a reference for 5 weeks, on the energy intake, body weight gain, satiety-related hormones from the gut and blood (GLP-1 and ghrelin), blood glucose and lipids, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from the gut of ad libitum-fed mice. We evaluated the energy intake daily and weight gain every week. At the end of the experiment, portal vein blood samples as well as intestinal segments and the stomach were collected to measure glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and ghrelin using RIA and ELISA kits, respectively. Colon SCFAs were measured using gas chromatography. The energy intake, body weight gain, and triglycerides were lower in the fructan-fed mice than in the STD-fed mice. The AASDP, APSDP, and RSE diets increased the serum levels of GLP-1 (40, 93, and 16%, respectively vs. STD) (P ≤ 0.05), whereas ghrelin was decreased (16, 38, and 42%, respectively) (P ≤ 0.05). Butyric acid increased significantly in the APSDP-fed mice (26.59 mmol g(-1), P ≤ 0.001) compared with that in the AASDP- and RSE-fed mice. We concluded that AASDP and APSDP are able to promote the secretion of the peptides involved in appetite regulation, which might help to control obesity and its associated metabolic disorder.

Influence of traditional markets on plant management in the Tehuacán Valley.

BackgroundThe Tehuacán Valley, Mexico is a region with exceptionally high biocultural richness. Traditional knowledge in this region comprises information on nearly 1,600 plant species used by local peoples to satisfy their subsistence needs. Plant resources with higher cultural value are interchanged in traditional markets. We inventoried the edible plant species interchanged in regional markets documenting economic, cultural and ecological data and about their extraction and management in order to: (1) assess how commercialization and ecological aspects influence plant management, (2) identify which species are more vulnerable, and (3) analyze how local management contributes to decrease their risk. We hypothesized that scarcer plant species with higher economic value would be under higher pressure motivating more management actions than on more abundant plants with lower economic value. However, construction of management techniques is also influenced by the time-span the management responses have taken as well as biological and ecological aspects of the plant species that limit the implementation of management practices. Plant management mitigates risk, but its absence on plant species under high risk may favor local extinction.MethodsSix traditional markets were studied through 332 semi-structured interviews to local vendors about barter, commercialization, and management types of local edible plant species. We retrieved ethnobotanical information on plant management from ten communities in a workshop and sampled regional vegetation in a total of 98 sites to estimate distribution and abundance of plant species commercialized. Through Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) we analyzed the amount of variation of management types that can be explained from socioeconomic and ecological information. A risk index was calculated relating distribution, abundance, economic value and management of plant resources to identify the most vulnerable species.ResultsWe recorded 122 edible plant species interchanged in the main regional markets. CCA explained significantly 24% of management variation, spatial distribution and plant parts used being particularly important in management decisions. The indeterminate 76% of variation suggests that management decisions depend on particular variables that are not explained by the ecological and socioeconomic factors studied and/or their high variation in the context at the regional scale. The risk index indicated that management was the factor that mostly influences decreasing of risk of interchanged plant species. We identified Clinopodium mexicanum, Pachycereus weberi, Dasylirion serratifolium, Disocorea sp., Ceiba aesculifolia, Neobuxbamia tetetzo, Lippia graveolens, Litsea glaucescens, L. neesiana, Jatropha neopauciflora, Agave potatorum and other agave species used for producing mescal among the more endangered plant species due to human pressure, their relative scarcity and limited or inexistent management.ConclusionSpatial distribution and plant parts used are particularly meaningful factors determining risk and influencing management actions on edible plant species interchanged in the region. Limited or inexistent management may favor extinction of local populations under risk. Local management techniques synthesize knowledge and experiences crucial for designing sustainable management programs. Traditional management techniques supported by ecological information and environmental management approaches could make valuable contributions for sustainable use of plant species, particularly those becoming economically important more recently.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal potential and mycorrhizal fungi diversity associated with Agave potatorum Zucc. in Oaxaca, Mexico

AbstractThe status of the arbuscular mycorrhizal association in wild Agave potatorum Zucc. was studied at three semiarid sites over a 1‐year period of rhizospheric soil sampling. Root colonization present at all sites and at all times of year, ranged from 20 to 83 %. The extraradical mycelia length was estimated to be from 2.64 to 5.22 m g−1 of dry soil. Spore number ranged from 20 to 192 in 100 g of soil. The number of viable mycorrhizal propagules ranged from 500 to 2,640 in 100 g of soil. Twenty species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were identified, the family Glomeracea comprising the greatest number of species (45 %). Two other fungi families Acaulosporaceae and Gigasporaceae made up 35 and 15 %, respectively. High alpha diversity and low beta diversity of AMF were found in this study. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species richness in A. potatorum is high and the associated fungi appear to be an important component in semiarid ecosystems in this region of Mexico. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species with small spores might be better adapted to the local environment.

Genetic diversity, conservation and sustainable use of wild Agave cupreata and Agave potatorum extracted for mezcal production in Mexico

Agave cupreata and Agave potatorum are semelparous species distributed on dry tropical forests in south Mexico. Extraction of reproductive individuals for spirits production has caused a decline of wild populations and has raised concerns about their long-term conservation. We assess the degree of genetic erosion of exploited populations and provide population genetics baseline data for developing sustainable use strategies of these species. ISSRs (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats, dominant nuclear markers associated to microsatellites) were used to analyze five populations of each species throughout their distribution range. We found high levels of variation (P > 80%; H > 0.30) and moderate to high differentiation (A. potatorum θ = 0.120; A. cupreata θ = 0.172). Isolation by distance was significant in A. cupreata. Our data indicate that these species are not genetically eroded in general, and that they retain their historical patterns of diversity inside populations. Three genetically distinct populations are identified where conservation efforts should be a priority. Our results are discussed in relation to the in situ reinforcement of populations based on seeds propagation, in contrast to micropropagation practices that may threaten the genetic diversity of the species studied considering previous reports on genetic bottlenecks and inbreeding depression in Agave.

Major and minor compounds in a Mexican spirit, young Mezcal coming from two Agave species.

Major and minor compounds in a traditional Mexican spirit, young mezcal from <I>Agave angustifolia </I>Haw<I>.</I> and <I>Agave potatorum</I> Zucc., were characterised using gas chromatography and solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A large variability in both mezcal samples was detected in the content of methanol, higher alcohols, acetic acid, and ethyl acetate. However, their values were below the maximum concentration permitted by the Mexican Standards. The minor compounds identified by mass spectrometry included alcohols, esters, ketones, acids, and furanes. The similarities found between mezcal from <I>Agave angustifolia</I> and <I>Agave potatorum</I> may be due to their processing methods. In addition, mezcals<I> </I>contain unique compounds that can be used as markers to identify the products of different origins.

Ornamental value and observations on seed production of Agave potatorum Zucc.

Fruit sampling of <em>Agave potatorum</em> Zucc. Done in the area of Valsequillo, Puebla, was aimed at determining the number and percentage of seeds suitable for generative reproduction. It was found that seed number per fruit ranged from 11 to 99 with the percentage of viable seeds from 7.48 to 50.00. The use of these species is suggested in the landscaping of open areas as well as a potted ornamental plant for its beauty and low environmental requirements.