Authentication of Commercial Agavins, Prebiotic Supplement Extracted from <em>Agave </em>Plants, Using Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Tools

The mexican market is flooded with different marks of agavins (agave inulins) claiming to have health wellness. Agavins are highly branched neo-fructans whose sales, into the prebiotic supplements market, have been increased significantly lately. However, the tendency to maximize profits, by some traders, have carry out too vulnerable agavins to adulteration. In the present study, two chromatography techniques (HPTLC and HPAEC-PAD) as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to evaluate the authenticity of commercial agavins. Combination of these analytical tools allowed the identification of authentic commercial brands. Of note, the majority of evaluated commercial agavins were found to be adulterated with cheap polysaccharides such as polydextrose, maltodextrin, and/or oligofructose. Partial or total adulteration of prebiotics compromises their quality, security, and efficacy, which may have serious health hazard effects on the consumers. Hence, regulatory authorities should intervene to assure the authenticity of commercial agavins as a prebiotic supplement.