The Agave lechuguilla Torrey is a shrub that grows in semi-desert areas, whose use has been to obtain a fiber called ixtle. Due to its properties of softness and resistance, with this fiber several varieties of articles can be manufactured, such as ropes, rugs and sacks, among others. To obtain the ixtle, the agave leaves are carved mechanically, obtaining in addition to the ixtle a pulpy residue known as guishe. This pulp represents 85% of the total plant. Investigations revealed that stew contains molecules called saponins; which stand out for their tensoactive, moisturizing, and emulsifying properties, among others.
Saponins are glycosides and have a behavior similar to detergents. In agriculture, they can be used as adjuvants in foliar applications, thanks to their surfactant activity, and as irrigation water conditioners to ensure soil penetration and moisture conservation. In addition, they are very useful in managing soils with salinity problems.
Grupo Fagro and Biorganix Mexicana developed Biotika® Saponin-L, a product based on a highly concentrated extract of Agave lechuguilla torey. Which has a high content of steroidal saponins, which are natural biostimulants of plants and soil improver.