Blue Agave (Agave Tequilana) is a plant of the Agavoideae subfamily with a succulent stem cultivated for tequila production. It is a monocarpic plant that blooms only once in its life after a decade and then dies. The plant produces a floral stem a few meters high, with numerous umbels of greenish to blue color and vertical tubular flowers. Blue Agave is cultivated as ornamentals or for living fences, for the fibers they contain in their leaves, as forage, and for the production of pulque, mezcal, tequila, and other derivatives. It is the main economic product of the state of Jalisco in Mexico.
The inhabitants of Mesoamerica have used agaves for approximately 9,000 years. In general, before the arrival of the Spanish, agaves were used to produce sugars and fibers. Its use declined when sugar cane cultivation arrived in Mexico with the conquistadors.
The Agave genus, whose meaning in Greek is: "noble" or "admirable," was made known to science by the Swede Carlos Linnaeus in 1753. The plants of the Agave genus are native to America, with the highest concentration of species native to Mexico, where they are known by the common names of "magueyes" or "mezcals."
Thanks to its high agavins (type of inulins or fructans) content, Agave Tequilana Stem Extract is being investigated for its possible medicinal uses. It is also studied as a dietary fiber and as a prebiotic. Blue Agave stem extract is a valued ingredient in the skincare industry for its nourishing, hydrating, soothing, and prebiotic properties.Agavins are fructan polysaccharides comprising mainly fructose units (60% fructose and 20% glucose and other simple sugars), a perfect medium for beneficial bacteria. Applied topically, Agave Tequilana Stem Extract improves the microbial balance and enhances the skin's moisture retention ability, exposing a healthy, hydrated, and smoother appearance. It also energizes dermal cells and soothes irritation, which makes it a perfect natural ingredient for skin care applications.
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