Approximately 1 million tons of Agave tequilana plants are processed annually by 
the Mexican Tequila industry generating vast amounts of agricultural waste. The 
aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of Agave tequilana waste 
as substrate for the production of commercially important enzymes. Two strains 
of Aspergillus niger (CH-A-2010 and CH-A-2016), isolated from agave fields, were 
found to grow and propagate in submerged cultures using Agave tequilana waste as 
substrate. Isolates showed simultaneous extracellular inulinase, xylanase, 
pectinase, and cellulase activities. Aspergillus CH-A-2010 showed the highest 
production of inulinase activity (1.48 U/ml), whereas Aspergillus niger 
CH-A-2016 produced the highest xylanase (1.52 U/ml) and endo-pectinase (2.7U/ml) 
activities. In both cases production of enzyme activities was significantly 
higher on Agave tequilana waste than that observed on lemon peel and specific 
polymeric carbohydrates. Enzymatic hydrolysis of raw A. tequilana stems and 
leaves, by enzymes secreted by the isolates yielded maximum concentrations of 
reducing sugars of 28.2 g/l, and 9.9 g/l respectively. In conclusion, Agave 
tequilana waste can be utilized as substrate for the production of important 
biotechnological enzymes.