SURFACTANT PROPERTIES OF THE SAPONINS OF Agave Durangensis, APPLICATION ON ARSENIC REMOVAL

Abstract

The saponin composition of Agave durangensis foliar tissue was assessed by HPLC/DAD to determine the diversity and abundance of these secondary metabolites in that taxon, and also to analyze, the surfacting properties of those terpenic derivatives for removing arsenic in water. Four different steroidal saponins were detected at concentrations ranging from 0.380 to 3.472 mg/g dry tissue, in the leaves of this species of Agave, which are removed and left in the field as waste, when the plants are gathered to elaborate mescal. The total concentration of saponins estimated ((6.165 mg/g dry tissue) suggests that A. durangensis is an important source of steroidal saponins, having relevant properties for removing arsenic from water (above 90%). This study is a contribution to the knowledge of that species of plant and reveals a potential additional use to the integral management of this resource. Key words: saponins, Agave durangensis, surfactant