El jarabe de henequén (Agave fourcroydes Lem.)

Abstract

Syrup from henequen (Agave fourcroydes Lem.) was obtained and its composition was determined. Henequen 'piñas', 15 to 18 years old, were cooked for 4 h at 1.0 kg cm-2 ; thereafter, the 'piñas' were milled to extract the juice, and this one was concentrated to a syrup. this syrup contains 85.7 % of fructose and 13.7 % of glucose; 3623 μg g -1 calcium (Ca), 470 μg g-1 magnesium (Mg), 665 μg g-1 potassium (K), 99 μg g-1 zinc (Zn), 36 μg g -1 iron (Fe), 24 μg g-1 aluminum (Al),8 μg g -1 copper (Cu), 2 μg g-1 manganese (Mn) and 1 μg g-1 chromium (Cr) . No arsenic (As), lead (Pb) or cadmium (Cd) were detected. Because of its levels of fructose, Ca, K and Mg, the henequen syrup might be incorporated into the human diet. This syrup can give and added value to the plant and promote its preservation.