# Health-Related Composition and Bioactivity of an Agave Sap/Prickly Pear Juice Beverage

## TL;DR

This study analyzes a beverage made from Agave sap and prickly pear juice for its health benefits, including antioxidants, low glycemic index, and gut-friendly fermentation.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel beverage combining Agave sap and prickly pear juice with documented health-promoting properties and fermentation benefits.

## Key findings

- The beverage contains significant levels of galacturonic acid, rhamnose, and fructose, along with polyphenols like protocatechuic acid and catechin.
- It has a low glycemic index and can inhibit digestive carbohydrases, making it potentially beneficial for blood sugar regulation.
- Fermentation of the beverage produces short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, acetate, and propionate, with reduced gas production compared to Agave sap alone.

## Abstract

In this study, a beverage made from a combination of Agave sap (AS) and prickly pear juice (PPJ) was analyzed for its nutrients and bioactive and potentially health-promoting compounds. The beverage was evaluated for its ability to act as an antioxidant, regulate glycemic properties, and undergo gut bacterial fermentation in vitro. The major mono- and oligosaccharides present in the beverage were galacturonic acid (217.74 ± 13.46 mg/100 mL), rhamnose (227.00 ± 1.58 mg/100 mL), and fructose (158.16 ± 8.86 mg/mL). The main phenolic compounds identified were protocatechuic acid (440.31 ± 3.06 mg/100 mL) and catechin (359.72 ± 7.56 mg/100 mL). It was observed that the beverage had a low glycemic index (<40) and could inhibit digestive carbohydrases. The combination of ingredients also helped to reduce gas production during AS fermentation from 56.77 cm3 to 15.67 cm3. The major SCFAs produced during fermentation were butyrate, acetate, and propionate, with valerate being produced only during the late fermentation of the AS. This beverage is rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and dietary fiber, which will bring health benefits when consumed.