Life Cycle Assessment in Agave Cultivation and Processing: A Review

Abstract

Agaves thrive in arid and semi-arid environments and can be transformed into various products through processing and refinement. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology is employed to assess the environmental impacts of these processes. This study analyzes LCA studies related to the cultivation and processing of agave, identifying the main topics explored, relevant environmental impacts, and existing gaps. Information such as the functional unit, life cycle impact assessment methods, databases, software, objectives, and conclusions of the primary studies was evaluated. Various applications of agave and their potential environmental impacts were observed, with cultivation and processing showing comparatively lower impacts than other plants, mainly due to reduced water consumption and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.