Sustainable Utilization of Agave-Derived Sitosterol: A Review of Isolation Methods and Pharmacological Activities

Agave species are increasingly recognized as promising sources of bioactive phytochemicals with therapeutic potential. Among these, β-sitosterol (BSS) and its glucoside (BSSG) have gained attention for their wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. In vitro, th...

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Main Authors: Herminia López-Salazar, Martha Lucía Arenas-Ocampo, Brenda Hildeliza Camacho-Díaz, Francisco Rodríguez-González, Sandra Victoria Ávila-Reyes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North Carolina State University 2025-07-01
Series:BioResources
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Online Access:https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/23908
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author Herminia López-Salazar
Martha Lucía Arenas-Ocampo
Brenda Hildeliza Camacho-Díaz
Francisco Rodríguez-González
Sandra Victoria Ávila-Reyes
author_facet Herminia López-Salazar
Martha Lucía Arenas-Ocampo
Brenda Hildeliza Camacho-Díaz
Francisco Rodríguez-González
Sandra Victoria Ávila-Reyes
author_sort Herminia López-Salazar
collection DOAJ
description Agave species are increasingly recognized as promising sources of bioactive phytochemicals with therapeutic potential. Among these, β-sitosterol (BSS) and its glucoside (BSSG) have gained attention for their wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. In vitro, these compounds enhance fibroblast viability and regulate cytokine production. In vivo, extracts from Agave angustifolia bagasse (BagEE), obtained through microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), significantly accelerate wound closure and re-epithelialization. MAE, particularly when combined with alkaline catalysts, yields higher concentrations of BSS and BSSG compared to conventional methods. However, despite its environmental and efficiency advantages, supercritical fluid extraction remains underutilized for isolating phytosterols from Agave. This review highlights interspecies variation in bioactive profiles, the critical impact of extraction methodology on compound yield and activity, and the potential for valorizing agro-industrial residues. These findings emphasize the value of Agave-derived sterols in the development of sustainable, plant-based therapeutics. Further research is needed to standardize extraction protocols, achieve comprehensive characterization of active metabolites, and evaluate their clinical efficacy—advancing innovation in bioproduct development aligned with circular economy principles.
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spelling doaj-art-97ebe5801a84430d8669ef2f9de34f222025-08-20T03:02:26ZengNorth Carolina State UniversityBioResources1930-21262025-07-01203814981743413Sustainable Utilization of Agave-Derived Sitosterol: A Review of Isolation Methods and Pharmacological ActivitiesHerminia López-Salazar0Martha Lucía Arenas-Ocampo1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4400-5482Brenda Hildeliza Camacho-Díaz2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5562-0782Francisco Rodríguez-González3Sandra Victoria Ávila-Reyes4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0225-9959Department of Biotechnology, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, P.O. Box 24, Yautepec 62730, Morelos, MéxicoDepartment of Biotechnology, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, P.O. Box 24, Yautepec 62730, Morelos, MéxicoDepartment of Biotechnology, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, P.O. Box 24, Yautepec 62730, Morelos, MéxicoDepartment of Biotechnology, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, P.O. Box 24, Yautepec 62730, Morelos, MéxicoDepartment of Biotechnology, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, P.O. Box 24, Yautepec 62730, Morelos, MéxicoAgave species are increasingly recognized as promising sources of bioactive phytochemicals with therapeutic potential. Among these, β-sitosterol (BSS) and its glucoside (BSSG) have gained attention for their wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. In vitro, these compounds enhance fibroblast viability and regulate cytokine production. In vivo, extracts from Agave angustifolia bagasse (BagEE), obtained through microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), significantly accelerate wound closure and re-epithelialization. MAE, particularly when combined with alkaline catalysts, yields higher concentrations of BSS and BSSG compared to conventional methods. However, despite its environmental and efficiency advantages, supercritical fluid extraction remains underutilized for isolating phytosterols from Agave. This review highlights interspecies variation in bioactive profiles, the critical impact of extraction methodology on compound yield and activity, and the potential for valorizing agro-industrial residues. These findings emphasize the value of Agave-derived sterols in the development of sustainable, plant-based therapeutics. Further research is needed to standardize extraction protocols, achieve comprehensive characterization of active metabolites, and evaluate their clinical efficacy—advancing innovation in bioproduct development aligned with circular economy principles.https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/23908circular economyagave bagasseagave leaveswastecam
spellingShingle Herminia López-Salazar
Martha Lucía Arenas-Ocampo
Brenda Hildeliza Camacho-Díaz
Francisco Rodríguez-González
Sandra Victoria Ávila-Reyes
Sustainable Utilization of Agave-Derived Sitosterol: A Review of Isolation Methods and Pharmacological Activities
BioResources
circular economy
agave bagasse
agave leaves
waste
cam
title Sustainable Utilization of Agave-Derived Sitosterol: A Review of Isolation Methods and Pharmacological Activities
title_full Sustainable Utilization of Agave-Derived Sitosterol: A Review of Isolation Methods and Pharmacological Activities
title_fullStr Sustainable Utilization of Agave-Derived Sitosterol: A Review of Isolation Methods and Pharmacological Activities
title_full_unstemmed Sustainable Utilization of Agave-Derived Sitosterol: A Review of Isolation Methods and Pharmacological Activities
title_short Sustainable Utilization of Agave-Derived Sitosterol: A Review of Isolation Methods and Pharmacological Activities
title_sort sustainable utilization of agave derived sitosterol a review of isolation methods and pharmacological activities
topic circular economy
agave bagasse
agave leaves
waste
cam
url https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/23908
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