Agave Syrup Extract Composition for Anticancer Activity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agave syrup extracts lack comprehensive understanding of their antioxidant and anticancer properties, and existing methods do not effectively harness their potential for inhibiting cancer cell growth or providing antioxidant effects.
Innovation Solution
Development of an agave syrup extract composition from Agave spp. varieties like A. atrovirens, A. salmiana, and A. lehmanni, which includes partially purified saponins, phytosterols, polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, combined with vitamins A, C, and E, or selenium, for use in food supplements, cosmetics, or medicines to inhibit cancer cell growth and provide antioxidant effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If agave syrup extract is used as an antioxidant or food supplement, then antioxidant properties are provided, but anticancer activity is not fully harnessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing extraction conditions including using 70-95% ethanol as solvent, controlling extraction temperature at 25-40°C, and maintaining extraction time of 2-24 hours. These parameter optimizations maximize the extraction of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols) while preserving their anticancer and antioxidant activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple extraction methods (maceration, Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction) and using composite solvent systems (ethanol-water mixtures). The final extract contains a composite of various phytochemicals working synergistically to provide both antioxidant and anticancer effects.
2Reliability
If comprehensive phytochemical extraction is performed, then antioxidant and anticancer properties are enhanced, but extraction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the extraction process into distinct stages: preliminary maceration, main extraction (Soxhlet or ultrasound-assisted), filtration, and concentration. Each stage targets specific phytochemical compounds, allowing comprehensive extraction while maintaining process manageability and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ethanol-water mixture as an intermediary solvent that facilitates the extraction of diverse phytochemicals with different polarities. This intermediary solvent system enables simultaneous extraction of polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, and phytosterols without requiring multiple separate extraction processes.
3Reliability
If natural agave compounds are used, then safety and natural origin are maintained, but extraction efficiency and compound concentration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through cyclic extraction processes where the solvent is repeatedly passed through the agave material (Soxhlet extraction) or using intermittent ultrasound pulses. This periodic action progressively extracts phytochemicals over multiple cycles, achieving high extraction efficiency while maintaining natural compound integrity and safety.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises an agave extract stored for at least eight weeks, having phytochemicals preferably selected from the group comprising flavonoids, polycosanols and sapogenins, that inhibit cancer cell growth over cells of breast and lymphoma and which provides the agave extract with antioxidant and chemopreventive properties.