In recent decades, the scientific community has become interested in improving the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants through new extraction techniques. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is an innovative and effective method to extract compounds from different plants of agronomic, medicinal, nutritional, or cosmetic interest. This technique is considered environmentally friendly, as it uses non-toxic solvents. In addition, its energy consumption is lower than conventional extraction techniques. Likewise, this extraction avoids the degradation of the compounds, making it a feasible method. For microwave extraction to be efficient, the following parameters must be considered: solvent characteristics, volume, exposure time, temperature, size and characteristics of plant material, power (MHz), and type of equipment. This review focuses on the interactions of various factors involved to achieve a successful extraction process. The optimization and importance of microwave extraction technology in the research of plant bioactive compounds are discussed in this review article.

β-sitosterol β-d-glucoside (BSSG) was extracted from “piña” of the Agave angustifolia Haw plant by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) with a KOH solution such as a catalyst and a conventional maceration method to determine the best technique in terms of yield, extraction time, and recovery. The quantification and characterization of BSSG were done by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and high-performance liquid chromatography−electrospray ionization−mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). With an extraction time of 5 s by MAE, a higher amount of BSSG (124.76 mg of β-sitosterol β-d-glucoside/g dry weight of the extract) than those for MAE extraction times of 10 and 15 s (106.19 and 103.97 mg/g dry weight respectively) was shown. The quantification of BSSG in the extract obtained by 48 h of conventional maceration was about 4–5 times less (26.67 mg/g dry weight of the extract) than the yields reached by the MAE treatments. MAE achieved the highest amount of BSSG, in the shortest extraction time while preserving the integrity of the compound’s structure.

β-sitosterol (BSS) and β-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) were extracted from Agave angustifolia Haw bagasse using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The quantification and characterization of BSS and BSSG were performed through high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). With an extraction time of 9 seconds using MAE, a higher amount of BSS (103.6 mg of β-sitosterol per gram of dry weight of extract) was obtained compared to BSSG (61.6 mg of β-sitosterol glucoside per gram of dry weight of extract). MAE emerges as a promising method for the efficient recovery of β-sitosterol (BSS) and β-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) from A. angustifolia bagasse. This enriches scientific knowledge regarding phytochemical extraction and holds great potential for various industries, such as pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Additionally, by valorizing the by-products of the agave industry, this research contributes to the sustainable utilization of resources, aligning with the principles of green and circular economy practices.

Agave species are increasingly recognized as promising sources of bioactive phytochemicals with therapeutic potential. Among these, β-sitosterol (BSS) and its glucoside (BSSG) have gained attention for their wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. In vitro, these compounds enhance fibroblast viability and regulate cytokine production. In vivo, extracts from Agave angustifolia bagasse (BagEE), obtained through microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), significantly accelerate wound closure and re-epithelialization. MAE, particularly when combined with alkaline catalysts, yields higher concentrations of BSS and BSSG compared to conventional methods. However, despite its environmental and efficiency advantages, supercritical fluid extraction remains underutilized for isolating phytosterols from Agave. This review highlights interspecies variation in bioactive profiles, the critical impact of extraction methodology on compound yield and activity, and the potential for valorizing agro-industrial residues. These findings emphasize the value of Agave-derived sterols in the development of sustainable, plant-based therapeutics. Further research is needed to standardize extraction protocols, achieve comprehensive characterization of active metabolites, and evaluate their clinical efficacy—advancing innovation in bioproduct development aligned with circular economy principles.

Background/Objectives: The development of bioproducts that can accelerate wound healing is a key focus in biomedicine, especially when these products are derived from sustainable by-products. This study investigates the wound-healing potential of an extract obtained from Agave angustifolia Haw bagasse (BagEE) using microwave extraction.Methods: HPLC-MS analysis was performed to identify the main compounds present in BagEE, revealing quercetin, isorhamnetin, diosgenin, hecogenin, manogenin, β-sitosterol glucoside, and β-sitosterol as tentative constituents. A murine excision wound model was employed to assess the efficacy of BagEE. The experimental group received a topical application of 8 mg of BagEE, while the control group was treated with water only. Wound closure, re-epithelialization, and collagen deposition were evaluated to determine the effects of BagEE on skin healing. Results: The BagEE-treated group exhibited significantly accelerated wound healing, achieving a 99.4% closure rate by day 13 compared to the control group’s 92.8% closure rate on day 22. Additionally, wounds treated with BagEE displayed complete re-epithelialization and a well-organized skin structure. Conclusions: These findings suggest that BagEE promotes effective wound healing and shows promise as a topical agent for skin regeneration. Further studies are necessary to investigate its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activities in both in vivo and in vitro settings.