Antibacterial and molluscicidal properties of Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm Dick and Agave beaulerina Jacobi

The present work was undertaken to evaluate the phytochemical, antibacterial, and molluscicide properties of Agave salmiana and Agave beaulerina in the Matanzas, Cuba province. Leaves of both species were collected, cleaned, dried, and powdered. The extractions were carried out in 90 % ethanol and distilled water. The qualitative content of various secondary metabolites was determined, and reducing sugars and total soluble proteins were quantified. The antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extracts was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The molluscicide activity of the aqueous extracts was also evaluated against the snail Praticollela griseola. Terpenes, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, coumarins, and cardiac glycosides were observed in both plant species. The leaf ethanolic extracts presented an antibacterial effect against both pathogens, although the most significant results were obtained with Agave beaulerina extract. The higher molluscicidal activity was observed with the aqueous extract of A. salmiana, resulting in a 100% mortality after two hours of application. The data would suggest using these plants as a source of bioactive compounds with antibacterial properties. The aqueous extract of A. salmiana could be considered a promising biological molluscicide and an ecological alternative to control Praticollela griseola in vegetable production areas.