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Plant fibers have been studied as sources of nanocellulose due to their sustainable features. This study investigated the effects of acid hydrolysis parameters, reaction temperature, and acid concentration on nanocellulose yield from maguey (Agave cantala) fiber. Nanocellulose was produced from the fibers via the removal of non-cellulosic components through alkali treatment and bleaching, followed by strong acid hydrolysis for 45 min using sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The temperature during acid hydrolysis was 30, 40, 50, and 60 °C, and the H2SO4 concentration was 40, 50, and 60 wt. % H2SO4. Results showed that 53.56% of raw maguey fibers were isolated as cellulose, that is, 89.45% was α-cellulose. The highest nanocellulose yield of 81.58 ± 0.36% was achieved from acid hydrolysis at 50 °C using 50 wt. % H2SO4, producing nanocellulose measuring 8–75 nm in diameter and 72–866 nm in length, as confirmed via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated the chemical transformation of fibers throughout the nanocellulose production process. The zeta potential analysis showed that the nanocellulose had excellent colloidal stability with a highly negative surface charge of −37.3 mV. Meanwhile, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis validated the crystallinity of nanocellulose with a crystallinity index of 74.80%. Lastly, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that the inflection point attributed to the cellulose degradation of the produced nanocellulose is 311.41 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agave plants are members of the Asparagaceae family and have a wide range of applications. They have been proven to be advantageous to mankind for centuries. The plant is an ideal crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) crop model because of its succulent nature, ability to adapt to harsh climates, and capacity to thrive in water-limited environments. The genus Agave has many species and this review covers the most commonly found Agave species in India and also Agave tequilana that was recently introduced for cultivation at a few places in India due to its high commercial value. Agave, in general, is rich in carbohydrates and serves as a source of medicines, biofuels, and clothing. Selected species from this genus are used as a source of various commercially produced alcoholic beverages, like Tequila, Bacanora, and many others. Agave is rich in ‘Inulin’ type fructans that are indigestible carbohydrates, however, these are being explored as prebiotics for improving the growth of ‘good’ gut bacteria and for getting other health benefits, like enhanced nutrient absorption, reduced gut infections, better metabolism of fats and lipids. Agave is rich in steroidal saponins and produces diverse secondary metabolites (triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics) that show utilizable biological activities including antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, and anti-neoplastic potential. There are very few reviews available that are relatively constrained to a scope or obsolete. Research is being carried out on Agave to identify new metabolites having therapeutic potential for the treatment of diverse medical conditions. This review is an attempt to summarize the information on distribution, phytochemical constituents, ethnobotanical and phytomedicinal importance, and new research carried out on these aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) have been extracted from agave cantala fibers by using chemical-ultrasonic treatment. The raw fibers have been subjected to alkali and bleaching treatments followed by acid-hydrolysis. The characteristics of cantala fibers such as their morphology through scaning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron micrsoscop (TEM), fourier transform analysis (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) have been analyzed. The CNF extracted from cantala fiber had uniform diameters of 45-50 nm with 800-2000 nm in lengths. Change in the FTIR spectra of CNF indicated that hemicellulose and lignin were significantly removed during chemical treatment. The crystallinity index of CNF increased when chemical treatment followed by optimum-time ultrasonic treatment was applied. The TGA discovered that CNF was stable until 271 °C. Based on the properties, the CNF would be suitable for reinforcement of nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of chemical treatments on the properties of cantala fiber as well as on the quality of the interfacial bonding of cantala fiber/rHDPE was investigated. The fibers were treated with alkali, silane, and a combination of both. The results showed that the loss of hemicellulose and lignin after the alkali treatment, and the presence of a silane layer on the fiber surface after the silane or alkali-silane treatment, improved the thermal stability, surface energy, and IFSS. The highest surface energy of 45.37 mN/m was obtained during the alkali treatment (NF12). The alkali-silane treatment with 0.75% wt of silane (NSF075) gave the highest thermal stability and IFSS value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo discurre sobre la historia del maguey o agave cantala, una planta de México. El autor comenta sobre las características físicas de la planta como la longevidad y discute los usos del maguey incluyendo bebidas como el pulque, rituales y remedios. El artículo ofrece varias imágenes de maguey representadas en arte.

El artículo discurre sobre los usos de la planta de México el maguey incluyendo usos agrícolas, domésticos y ornatos. El autor comenta sobre los usos distintos de las partes de la planta como las flores, las semillas y las raíces. Otros temas incluyen el pulque una bebida alcohólica con maguey y comida mexicano con maguey como barbacoa y tortillas.

El artículo discurre sobre la distribución, el origen y los usos ornamentales de la planta mexicana el maguey. El autor comenta sobre los magueyes en Oaxaca y Puebla y describe otros usos como usos textiles, medicinales y para hacer la bebida alcohólica pulque. El artículo provee varias imágenes de la planta.

El artículo discurre sobre la planta de México, el maguey, y el uso en el arte del artista mexicano Francisco Hernández. El autor describe las características físicas y la anatomía de la planta como raíces gruesas y las espinas. Se menciona los usos medicinales del maguey y el artículo ofrece varias obras de Hernández.

El artículo discurre sobre la historia de la planta de México, el maguey o agave cantala. Los autores comentan sobre los aspectos religiosos del maguey y del la bebida pulque, los mitos mexicanos y las plantas en el arte como las vasijas y la cerámica. Se menciona las ofrendas a la diosa del maguey.

El artículo discurre sobre le origen y los aspectos religiosos de la planta de México el maguey y la bebida alcohólica el pulque. El autor comenta sobre la mitología y los ritos mexicanos, los sacrificios humanos a la diosa del maguey Mayáhuel y los usos de las espinas de la planta. El artículo ofrece varias imágenes de la planta y los usos.

El artículo discurre sobre la historia y el registro arqueológico de la planta de México el maguey o el agave cantala. La autora comenta sobre los usos de la planta por ejemplos para hacer comida, jugos y cordeles. Se menciona los ritos y las ceremonias con el maguey y la representación de la planta en el arte mexicano.

El artículo discurre sobre la historia agrícola de México y de la planta mexicana se llama el maguey o el agave cantala. El autor comenta sobre las especies y la extracción del aguamiel del maguey para hacer la bebida alcohólica, pulque. Otros temas incluyen la arqueología en México y los ritos mexicanos.

Se presenta una introducción a la edición y discute temas incluyendo la planta de México el maguey o el agave cantala, la diosa del maguey Mayáhuel y arqueología en México.