Utilization of by-products from the tequila industry. Part 2: potential value of Agave tequilana Weber azul leaves

The leaves ofthe agave plant are left in the field after harvesting the heads for tequila production. Different types ofagave leaves were isolated, classified, and their content in the total plant determined. The usable fractions were collected and their properties determined. Of the total wet weight of the agave plant, 54 % corresponds to the agave head, 32 % corresponds to materials which could be usable for sugar and fiber production which leaves 14 % ofthe wet plant without apparent utility. The fractions with higher total reducing sugars (TRS) content were the fresh fraction of partially dry leaves stuck to the head and the leaf bases with a TRS content of 16.1 % and 13.1%, respectively. The highest TRS concentration (16–28%) is in the agave head which is used for tequila production. Theleaves are 90–120 cm longand 8–12 cmwide andcontain fiberbundles that are 23–52cm long and 0.6–13mm wide. The ultimate fiber length is approximately 1.6 mm with an average width of25 µm. There are several types ofleaffibers that can be utilized depending on what part ofthe plant they come from and what product is desired. Agave leaffibers were pulped using a soda pulping process and the pulp was hand formed into test sheets. Test sheets made from pulped agave leaffibers had a breaking lengt