Aloe Aloe Family : Liliaceae English Name : Aloe, Chromosome No.: 2n=14 Economic part : Succulent leaves (Aloe juice & Aloe gel) Active chemical: Aloe juice contains- cathartic anthraglycosides-Aloin & barbaloin Aloe gel contains glucomannans (Polysaccharides) Origin: Eastern and southern Africa Out of the 275 species three are commercially important
Aloe barbadensis curacao aloe Indian aloe West Indies Jaffarabad aloe Barbados aloe
A ferox and its Cape aloe South Africa Hybrids
A perryi Socotrine aloe South Africa
Other aloe species yield aloes of lesser importance
Aloe species- Origin Aloe barbadensis Miller Aloe arborescence Miller Aloe ferox Aloe chinensis Aloe perryi Aloe spicata Aloe abyssinica Distribution Aloe is grown largely in South Texas, USA, Mexico, India, South America, Central America, Australia and Africa. In India the plant is mainly found in Rajasthan and other dry belts. It also grows in coasts of Mumbai, Gujarat and South India. Uses of aloe extracts Aloe and Aloin are extensively used in laxative preparations Aloe gel are used as moisturizer, emollient or wound healer in various cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulation Extracts of aloe are used in sunscreen, X-ray burns, dermatitis and in other cosmetic preparations As a food aloe extracts are used as a flavoring ingredients and in candy to impart a slight bitter taste
Aloe is mainly cultivated for its thick fleshy leaves from which the yellow resinous latex or yellow sap or anthraquinones (the bitter yellow liquid between the leaf rind and gel) exudes and can be used as a laxative or purgative. If it is not processed properly it turns out to be poisonous. In India, it is grown commercially for its high demand in cosmetics industry as well as medicinal use.
FIVE UNIQUE BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA TO THE BODY PENETRATION Aloe has the ability to reach deepest body tissues some 7 layers deep ANTICEPTIC Aloe has at least 6 antiseptic agents which kill bacteria, viruses and fungi STIMULATES CELL GROWTH Aloe stimulates the birth of new healthy tissue SETTLES NERVES Aloe has a clearing effect on the bodys nervous system CLEANESS Aloe detoxifies and normalizes the bodys metabolism
Cathartic anthro-glycosides as its active principles These are mostly c-glucosides of aloe emodin. The concentration of this varies with the types of aloe from 4.5% to 25% of aloin
Chromone ie aloesin and its aglycone aloesone
Free anthroquinones
Resins Gel contains a glucomannan a polysaccharide Other polysaccarides (containing galactose,xylose and arabinose) Steroids Organic acids Enzymes Antibiotic principles Amino acids Biogenic stimulators Wound healing Harmones Saponins Minerals and so forth
Familiar varieties in India In India 2 or 3 varieties are recognized as well grown A. vera chinensis Baker Common all over Deccan. The leaves have a distinct purple color towards the base and the spines are not sharp A. Vera littoralis Koenig ex Baker Found on beach shingles in Madras right upto Rameshwaram are smaller in size and have a dentate margin
A.variegata linn A near kin of A.vera is found in the parts of Maharastra.It is large fleshy green leaves with sharp spins and white speck in the base of the leaf
Aloe abyssinica This thrives in Kathiawar coast National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Delhi Aloe accessions having high Aloin content IC 111271 IC 111280 IC 111269 IC 111273 IC 111279 IC 111267 National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Delhi Aloe having high gel content IC 111267 IC 111266 IC111280 IC 111272 IC 111277 Soil This hardy plant grows in all types of soils Does well in sandy coastal to loamy soils of the plains It requires PH up to 8.5 This does not grow under water logged conditions and problem soils Climate Ideal time is March to June Found in warm Humid or dry climate It requires 150-200cm to about 35-40cm of yearly rainfall. In dry regions protective irrigation is essential
Land preparation
To be ploughed twice To be cleaned thoroughly of weeds If required small canals may be prepared for drainage 25t/ha of cow dung manure is also to be added Propagation The plants are generally propagated by root suckers (Pups) or rhizome cuttings Planting 1-2 months old pups are planted at a spacing of 60 x 30 cm or 60 x 40 cm Same sized say 15-18 cm long pups or rhizome cuttings are to be planted Planting is done in such a way that 2/3 portion of them are under the ground Treat the pups with Carbendazim (1gm/1liter of water) to prevent rotting About 28,000-34,000 suckers are needed to plant in one Ha.(60 X 60 cm spacing) Planting time Planting material Manuring An adhoc basic recommendation of a mixture of 150kg/ha N P K is adviced The fertilizers are applied in the soil near the root system after the plants are established Irrigation Soon after planting life irrigation Generally 4 to 5 irrigations/yr are sufficient However water should not stagnate near the plant
Weeding Weeding may be done twice a year The land should be kept weed-free
Pest & diseases No serious pest infestation Leafspot by Altarnaria alterata & Fusarium solani infestation is noticed Water logging may cause rotting disease Harvesting Harvested at 8-12 months Manually/tractor drawn disc harrow/cultivator The left out broken rhizome sprouts back succeeding in the spring Yield Commercial yield from 2 nd year to 5 th yr after that to be replanted 10000-12000kgs/ha (yield based on fresh wt.) Cultivation Practices Economics The prevailing market price for aloe vera leaves is around Rupees 4-4.5/ kg as of now (Fresh weight). Hence a minimum of RS 50000 to RS 60000 may be getting as profit per hectare. The cost benefit may be 1:3 to 1:5 depending on the product whether raw, processed derivatives or value added product. 1. Dried Aloe leaves or powders are often exported to the European countries.
2. The price of dried Aloes in India ranges from Rs.600 to RS.1000 per kg depending upon the `aloin' content and colour of the dried leaves.
3. Aloe gels are expensive herbal cosmetics.Owing to the increased preference to herbal cosmetics, the demand for Aloe vera is on the rise every year.
4. Selection of aloin rich varieties and cultivation of aloe on commercial scale following scientific approach will be really remunerative.
5. It is definitely a crop highly suitable for growing in many parts of India.
The crop could be promoted for commercial cultivation in marginal soils as well. Investment required Rs 25 lacs. Processing Aloe Leaves
During the past several decades four basic methods of processing Aloe Vera leaves have been developed, namely:
1. Traditional Hand Filleted Aloe
2. Whole Leaf Aloe
3. Powdered forms of Aloe
A. Spray-Dried Aloe Powder B. Lyophilized Aloe Powder C. Dehydrated Aloe Powder
4. Total Process Aloe Vera
Traditional Hand Filleted Aloe Vera
The Aloe Leaf consists of three layers: A. The outer thick rind
B. A viscous, jelly like mucilage layer into which the vascular bundles, attached to the inner surface of the rind, protrude.
C. The fillet proper, which has structural integrity consisting of hexagonal, structures containing the fillet fluid. This is the water storage area for the plant. In order to avoid contaminating the internal fillet with the yellow sap, the traditional hand- filleting method of processing Aloe Leaves was developed.
In this method, the Lower 1 of the leaf base (the white part attached to the large rosette stem of the plant),
the tapering point (2-4) of the leaf top, and
the short, sharp spines located along the leaf margins are removed by a sharp knife, then the knife, is introduced into the mucilage layer below the green rind avoiding the vascular bundles, and the top rind is removed. The bottom rind is similarly removed, and the rind parts, to which a significant amount of mucilage remains attached, are discarded. Another portion of the mucilage layer accumulated on the top of the filleting table. This is of critical concern because the highest concentration of potentially beneficial Aloe Constituents are found in this mucilage, as this layer represents the constituents synthesized by the vascular bundle cells empowered by energy developed in the green (chlorophyll- containing) rind cells through sun-induced photosynthesis. The materials of the mucilage layer, subsequent to their synthesis, are distributed to the storage cells (cellulose-reinforced hexagons) of the fillet, a process that is accompanied by dilution owing to the water (the major fillet constituent), which is stored in the fillet cells. The fillet consists of more than 99% water.
Total Process Aloe.
In this new revolutionary approach, The Aloe Leaves are Hand Filleted by the traditional, old fashioned, labor intensive method.
Then the green rinds and the mucilage layer from the tabletop are processed by a newly developed propriety methodology.
A combination of the products produced by these two procedures produces an aloe product called Total Process Aloe,
which contains an enviably high concentration of desirable constituents, which are virtually free of undesirable laxative anthraquinones.
Aloe Vera Cosmetic products Aloe Vera Hand Wash Aloe vera hand wash keeps the hands soft and smooth even after house hold washing and cleaning chores. The mild fragrance is natural and reminiscent of nature.
Aloe Vera Powder The aloe vera powder is a great solution for blood related problems. It aids blood and lymphatic circulation and facilitate digestion. The research on aloe powder shows its outstanding effect on many conditions regulating blood sugar boosts immunity, reduces inflammation and breakdown tumors. The quantity of the product can be available as per clients specification.
Aloe Vera Gel Aloe vera skin gel is a moisturizing agents. It softens and helps restore dry damaged skin. Aloe Vera Soap Aloe vera soap is skin friendly and facilitate healing of any kind of skin wound and disease, burn, or scar even speeding recovery time after surgery. These product help to remove blemishes and many other related scars.
Aloe Vera Shampoo Aloe vera shampoo which has taken the market by storm for its cleaning and conditioning properties. The world today has woken up to the great health and cosmetic properties of aloe vera. Aloe vera shampoo is soft to the hair and leaves no residues.
Aloe Vera Herbal Extract Soap Aloe vera soap extract that works very well with all types of skin structure. It has no harsh astringent agent and the skin tingles and even after repeated use there is no loss of natural oil of the face. This soap extract facilitates healing of any kind of skin wound and disease, burn, or scar even speeding recovery time after chicken pox.
Aloe Vera Face Wash The aloe vera face wash that keeps the face soft clean and blemish free. It has no harsh astringent agent and the skin tingles and even after repeated use there is no loss of natural oil of the face.
Aloe Vera Multipurpose Gel Aloe vera multipurpose gel which is a great skin softener. This gel is a great wound healer. Even for minor burns and scalding Aloe Vera gel works wonders.
Aloe Vera Multipurpose Gel
We offer a very true to nature aloe vera multipurpose gel which is a great skin softner. We do not add any chemical supplements. We offer our products in its fresh from the garden persona. This gel is a great wound healer. Even for minor burns and scalding Aloe Vera gel works wonders. Aloe Vera Fairness Cream Aloe vera fairness cream is in great demand for the softening agent present in the extract. The goodness of the plant is fully maintained in our product without unnecessary addition of chemical aids