Determination of total and incipient solubilization point of fructans extracted of A. Tequilana weber var. Azul

The aim of this work was to explain the effect of water in powder of fructans extracted of A. tequilana Weber var. azul, through the thermodynamics functions to know physical stability and suggest storage conditions. The results of thermodynamics analysis were confirmed with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM). Adsorption isotherms of agave fructans were realized at 15, 25 and 45°C. ESEM was performed at the samples equilibrated in a range of water activitie (aw) from 0.1 to 0.9. The results showed that the beginning of an incipient solubilization takes place at aw= 0.54 and the total solubilization takes place at aw= 0.77.

Keywords: fructans, thermodynamic analysis, water adsorption, solubilization, enthalpy.