The hecogenin and tigogenin contents were determined in dried leaves of sisal (Agave sisalana) and of the hybrids of A. amaniensis x A. angustifolía, obtained in the Experimental Station of the Instituto Agronômico, Campinas, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The hybrids showed higher sapogenin contents (220-480mg/100g) than sisal (140 ± 28mg/100g), as well as higher tigogenin content (148-217mg/100g). The hybrid 003B was the only one that showed significantly higher hecogenin content (99 ± 16mg/100g) than sisal (26 ± 3mg/100g).
Agave; hecogenin; tigogenin