Agave spp. and Dasylirion sp. fructans as a potential novel source of prebiotics.

Prebiotics of the inulin-type fructans have been studied for many years under a wide range of conditions, including concentration, degree of polymerization and variety of probiotics. This work is the first that addresses the potential of Agave spp. and Dasylirion sp. fructans as prebiotics. Fructans from five different Agave species and from Dasylirion sp. grown in six different geographic areas were tested with six different bifidobacteria and four lactobacilli strains, with commercial inulin-type fructans used as positive controls. Results indicate that bifidobacteria and lactobacilli grew using species of Agave and Dasylirion fructans as a carbon source. Most fructans stimulated the growth of both genera more efficiently than commercial inulin, as indicated by the absorbance and pH values. Fructans of Dasylirion sp. from Chihuahua and Agave tequilana from Guanajuato were the most effective, followed by Raftilose®Synergy1, a commercial inulin. This study supports previous reports that acetic, formic, and lactic acids were the main detected acids in all cases. This work further proves the potential of Agave and Dasylirion fructans as prebiotics.