GC-MS and HPLC-MS-TOF characterization of Agave atrovirens extracts. A preliminary study

Agave atrovirens is an undervalued and non-commercially-exploded agave specie, however this plant might be a source of compounds with biological activity. In this work, we evaluated three samples obtained from the leaves of this plant (Crude Extract (CE), Total Extract (TE)and Butanolic Extract (BE)). In order to make a partial chemical characterization and identified potential bioactive compounds, these samples were analyzed as hydrolyzed (Hexane-Ethyl acetate (HAE-SF)or Methanol (MeOH-SF)soluble fractions)or non-hydrolyzed samples by GC-MS and HPLC-MS-TOF. Presence of carboxylic and fatty acids, n-alkanes, phenolics as well as steroidal saponins and sapogenins were found in three extracts, however, their presence was more remarkable in BE. A gitogenin glycoside was the compound that possessed the most abundant [M + H]+ ion in all the non-hydrolyzed extracts, while the aglycone gitogenin was the most abundant ion in the hydrolyzed extracts. The type of compounds found in the extracts of A. atrovirens, confirms its potential as a source of bioactive phytochemicals like saponins and sapogenins.