Agave americana and Furcraea andina : Key Species to Andean Cultures in Ecuador

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The rich Agaveae-based culture that exists in the Ecuadorian Andes is little known. Wild and cultivated rosettes of <em>Agave americana </em>and <em>Furcraea andina </em>coexist in arid Andean landscapes. <em>A. americana </em>is considered an introduced species to Ecuador.</p><p><strong>Questions:</strong> What are Agaveae use patterns and cultural importance in the Ecuadorian Andes? Is the ethnobotanical significance of <em>Agave</em> in Ecuador comparable to that in Mexico and other Andean countries?</p><p><strong>Species studied:</strong> <em>Agave americana, Furcraea andina</em></p><p><strong>Study site, dates:</strong> Ecuadorian Andes, 2016.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Semi-structured interviews to Agaveae users (37) and a review of literature on ethnobotanical research conducted in Ecuador since the 18<sup>th</sup> century.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong><em> A. americana </em>is more diversely and widely used than <em>F. andina </em>(124 <em>vs</em> 36 uses and 548 <em>vs</em> 140 use records, respectively). The versatility of <em>A. americana</em> lies in its <em>mishki </em>(sap extracted from its heart) which has multiple medicinal, edible and ceremonial applications. We found significant variation of its use patterns throughout the region. The main use of <em>F. andina</em> as a source of fiber is disappearing. Most productive initiatives involve <em>A. americana</em> (92 %, n = 53).</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The importance of <em>A. americana </em>in the Ecuadorian Andes is comparable to that of agaves in Mexico, but not to its importance in other Andean countries where it is used sporadically. It<em> </em>can be considered a cultural keystone species. <em>F. andina</em> could have had that role in the past. <em>A. americana</em> versatility and availability through cultivation could explain why, irrespective of whether or not it is introduced, it remains an icon of identity and cultural cohesion in the Ecuadorian Andes.</p>

Hunting Bioactive Molecules from the Agave Genus: An Update on Extraction and Biological Potential

“…Worldwide, different indigenous cultures have used these plants for their therapeutic effects. They have employed some species in the treatment of insect-borne diseases [14], rheumatic inflammatory affections [15], and nervous system diseases such as meningitis and sciatica [16]. Other medicinal preparations were preserved over the years, for example, the remedies prepared from A. angustifolia Haw., described by García Mendoza et al [17].…”

Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Characteristics of Pulque: Management of a Fermented Beverage in Michoacán, Mexico

“…Another notorious feature in the community of SU is the boiling of the sap, an uncommon practice in Mexico with no similar records available in other regions. However, an interesting case is that of the communities of the Ecuadorian Andes, where the practice of boiling the sap has been reported [45]. In that area, people make use of A. americana, using its flower buds and leaves as medicine, fiber, and fodder for cattle, as well as consuming the sap, called "mishki", which means sweet in Kichwa.…”

“…In that area, people make use of A. americana, using its flower buds and leaves as medicine, fiber, and fodder for cattle, as well as consuming the sap, called "mishki", which means sweet in Kichwa. In addition to the consumption of the fresh sap of A. americana, a fermented beverage called "guarango" or "chaguarmishki" is prepared by boiling the sap and mixing it with the "chaguarmishki" of the previous days [45], similar to how pulque is prepared in SU.…”

“…The origin of A. americana and its history of use as a beverage in the equatorial region of the Andes is unclear, but the boiling of sap to prepare the fermented beverage might indicate it is a pre-Columbian activity, or was introduced by the Spanish conquerors [45]. The cultural parallelism behind boiling the sap between the "chaguasmishki" producers of the Ecuadorian Andes region and the pulque producers of the center of Michoacán should be further studied.…”

Caracterización mecánica de fibras nuevas y centenarias de agave americana l.

“…La larga relación entre los agaves y los seres humanos datan de hace 10,000 años, al comienzo de la agricultura en América. (De La Torre et al, 2018) La hoja de agave americana se ha utilizado como fuente de fibra para la fabricación de cuerdas y telas gruesas, constituyéndose en un material importante en la antigua ingeniería andina. El procedimiento para su extracción incluye golpear o moler la hoja para extraer sus jugos y dejar la fibra desnuda.…”