Processing of Fructans and Oligosaccharides from Agave Plants

Agave plants have been part of human food and rituals since Mesoamerican civilizations and are now the raw material of distilled spirit beverages like tequila and mezcal. Nevertheless, they are also a natural source of fructans, known as agavins that may be considered the functional components of both traditional products such as aguamiel and pulque, and neutraceuticals for the formulation of functional products. In this chapter the structure, biosynthesis and nutritional properties of agave fructans are reviewed, as well as the main unit operations involved in new processing alternatives. Finally the market potential for agavins is discussed.