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Experimental design methodology was used to determine significant factors affecting the extraction yield of soluble and insoluble fibres from Agave americana L. and in second time to find optimum conditions leading to the highest yield. Results clearly indicated that the temperature, the powder to water (P/W) ratio, and the agitation speed were the most important factors influencing fibres extraction yield which increased with temperature, P/W ratio, and agitation speed. Ionic strength affected significantly soluble fibre extraction yield and was the most important factor among nonsignificant ones influencing insoluble fibres extraction yield. Then, a Box-Behnken design was carried out to maximise fibres extraction. Selected optimal conditions were temperature: 90°C; P/W ratio: 0.1625; agitation speed: 400 rpm; and ionic strength: 1.5 g/L. These conditions yielded 93.02% and 80.46% of insoluble and soluble fibres, respectively. Concentrates showed high fibres purity and good functional properties.
Bouaziz et al. (Wed,) studied this question.