Bioactive molecules from Agave salmiana bagasse: Study of their antioxidant, prebiotic potential, and cytotoxicity

Bioactive compounds present in agro-industrial waste have been an attractive alternative for reducing current health problems. However, high concentrations of bioactive compounds may affect the growth of intestinal microbiota and cause unpleasant flavors. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of reducing the content of bioactive compounds present in Agave salmiana waste on antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP), the prebiotic potential using probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium lactis, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, and Enterococcus faecium), and cytotoxicity. Agave waste was treated with an ethanol:water (70:30, v/v) solution to reduce the content of bioactive compounds, and methanolic extracts from treated and untreated samples were obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. The treated samples showed a notable reduction in total polyphenols and saponins, while flavonoid content remained relatively unchanged. In parallel, antioxidant activity measured by DPPH and FRAP assays exhibited a moderate decrease, whereas ABTS values remained comparable between treatments. The antioxidant capacity was mainly associated with the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and saponins. Regarding the prebiotic effect, samples with reduced bioactive compound content showed a general increase in the growth of prebiotic strains, reaching higher cell counts compared to the untreated sample, which exhibited a lower prebiotic potential. Finally, cytotoxicity assays indicated that the reduction of bioactive compounds led to a decrease in the potential cytotoxic effect, reflected by higher IC50 values. These results suggest that A. salmiana waste with a reduction of bioactive compounds may represent a safer ingredient with potential application in the development of functional foods with prebiotic properties.