ALOE VERA Tourn.& Linn.

ORIGIN AND BOTANICAL TRAITS

Native to North Africa, the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and to the Canary Islands.

It is now cultivated throughout the West Indies, tropical America and the tropics in general. Botanical Trait Aloe Vera is a semi tropical plant Aloes thick, tapered, spiny leaves grow from a short stalk near ground level. It is not a cactus, but a member of the tree lily family, botanically known as Aloe barbadensis Mill. Aloes relationship to the lily family is evident from the tubular yellow flowers produced annually in the spring that resemble those of the Ester Lily. Species There are over 240 different species of Aloe, growing mainly in the dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. This unique plant also belongs to a larger plant family called "Xeroids". Of the 240+ species of Aloe, four are recognized as having nutritional value with Aloe barbadensis miller leading the group. Aloe barbadensis miller is the type of Aloe used in most products with aloe content available commercially today. Uniqueness The aloe leaf contains over 75 nutrients and 200 active compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins. Contains the most essential components required by the human body. Aloevera has vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. Aloe has a high enzyme content (about 92 enzymes), which makes it a rare and valuable resource because enzymes help the body absorb basic nutrients while also purifying it.

APPLICATIONS

The products prepared from Aloe vera leaves have multiple properties such as emollient, purgative, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, anti oxidant, anesthetic, aphrodisiac, anti helmenthic, antifungal, antiseptic and cosmetic. Most (96%) of the plant is water and rest is active ingredients like essential oil, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glycoprotines. External Applications The external uses of Aloe products are primarily as skin healer and cosmetic use. The healing effect of Aloe vera products is because of its ability to prevent injury to epithelial tissues (skin layer) and promote healing to injured tissues. It soothes a variety of skin ailments such as mild cuts, insect stings, bruises, poison ivy and eczema. Cosmetologists call it as "water of youth" because of its anti wrinkle properties. Its rate of absorption in skin is four times higher than water, making it good moisturiser. In addition to these, it acts as anti ageing agent by stimulating fibroblast which helps in manufacturing of collagen, the protein that controls the ageing process of skin. The washing of eyes with Aloe may protect eyes from ultraviolet rays coming from sun. Internal Applications The Aloe vera products can be taken internally in form of powder, tablets and juices. The juice and food supplement of Aloe vera is highly useful to digestive tract irritations such as colitis and peptic ulcers. It also facilitates digestion, blood and lymphatic circulation and functioning of kidney, liver and gall bladder. Sector of applications 1. Cosmetics 2. Food 3. Pharmaceuticals

Food sector Products approved by FDA for health drinks and cosmetics and skin care products based on Aloe Vera. Product First aid gel Drinkable gel Juice Vials concentrate Capsules Creams Shampoos Application Anti-inflammatory Stomach problems Food supplement Detoxification Food supplement Moisturizing & anti-inflammatory For glossy & silky hair

DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS OF ALOE VERA Raw material Cosmetic and Personal Care Products Nutritional Care Products Aroma care products Medicinal products General purpose products USE AS RAW MATERIALS
Aloe vera gel

When the parenchyma (the mucilaginous material in the leaves) of the leaves is removed, this so called "Gel filet" is processed and stabilised and the fibers are removed. An opalescent liquid remains that is commonly called "Aloevera gel". This is the liquid that is used in skin preparations and health drinks. Together with the enzymes, amino acids in the gel give the special propeerties as a skin care product and as raw material for the manufacturing of high grade nutritional, medicinal and cosmetic products A cooling soothing gel made from fresh Aloe vera leaves is used as a non oily moisturiser that promotes healing and offers, relief from sunburned and irritated skin. Good for chafing, itching, dry skin and irritated skin and will not stain as the skin quickly absorbs it. Used externally for arthritis, burns, ulcers, eczema and acne. It has anti bacterial and anti inflammatory qualities that can reduce pain and swelling, improving wound healing.

Cosmetic gel

Together with the enzymes and amino acids in the gel, has the special properties as a skin care product, providing antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral activity. Raw material for the manufacturing of high grade cosmetic range of products. Nutritional gel Together with the enzymes and amino acids in the gel, the gel is the basic building blocks of proteins in the production of muscle tissue etc. Raw material for the manufacturing of high grade nutritional products. Thick gel Consist of a large part of polysaccharides of the glucose and mannose type. Together with amino acids, enzymes give the gel the special properties as a skin care product. Raw material for the manufacturing of high grade cosmetic products of various external skin care preparations. CULTIVATION PRACTICES Regions Cultivated in India Grown in almost all parts of India
Highlights

Nature Season at climate

Aloe vera is perennial, tropical crop * * * Grown wild in hedge-rows in dry soil conditions Grown even under constant drought conditions. Cannot survive freezing temperatures.

Leaves

The leaves of the aloe plant grow from the base in the rosette pattern. Each plant usually has 12-16 leaves When mature, each leaves may weigh upto 1 to 1.5 Kg.

Flowers

Flowers are born in cylindrical terminal racemeson central flower stalks 5 to 100 cm high Forms of the species vary in sizes of leaves and colours of flowers.

Size

Average height one metre Mature plant can grow as tall as 2 metre Propagation

Saplings are planted together in a crowd, similar to banana planting. After initial growth, they are removed for planting separately.

Harvest
The plants can be harvested in every 6 to 8 weeks by removing 3 to 4 leaves per plant

Yield
10 tonnes of whole plant for 12 to 15 months per hectare

EXTRACTION PROCESS General Details Aloe Vera gel, extracted from the center of the plants leaves, contains celluloid matter that gives it a semisolid consistency and makes it unsuitable for consumption unless it is purified. The celluloid pulp is extracted from the Aloe Vera gel using a cold dialysis process which is a filtering procedure in number of stages that does not involve any use of heat and that preserves nutrients. The process separates and removes Aloine, from the Aloe Vera gel. Aloine is a yellowish sap found in the plants leaves and it is an irritant and laxative substance. Sulphates are also extracted in the process because of the risk of allergic reactions to the substances.
Characteristics and Specification of Aloe vera Gel-

Content of Aloe Vera gel Aloe Vera Gel consists of around 99.3% of water. The remaining 0.7% are the solids that consist for a large part of polysaccharides of the glucose and mannose type.

Characteristics and specifications of Aloe gel Appearance Odour Taste Specific Gravity PH Solids Calcium Magnesium Heavy Metals Storage Translucent Slight vegetable like odour Slick/Tangy 1.006+ 0.006 3.8 To 4.8 0.5% 99 Mg/L 26 Mg/L Less Than 0.001% Store in sealed, light resistant containers at cool, dark, dry place Packaging Packaging can be in cans, plastic-lined drums, pails and special aseptic bags in drums. DRIVING FACTORS FOR DEMAND Increasing percapita income
Aloe has a high enzyme content (about 92 enzymes), which makes it a rare and valuable resource because enzymes help the body to absorb basic nutrients while also purifying it.

The future prospects of the industry are excellent. The opportunities can be exploited by sustained marketing and technological efforts.

INDIAN INDUSTRY STATUS

DEMAND SUPPLY SCENARIO FOR ALOE VERA PRODUCTS

Aloe vera is traded in processed form such as gel, juice and concentrate

Cosmetic applications - Skin cream

Important downstream products of Aloe Vera Gel

Health Drink - For its medicianal properties

Importance of Aloe vera Simply, put, Aloe Vera gel is a combination of powerful organic compounds, which is found inside the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant. Aloe Vera contains all of the eight essential amino acids and 11 of the 14 secondary amino acids. Demand for Aloe vera in Indian Market In India, Aloe vera is largely used in cosmetic applications such as skin moisturiser, skin cream and hair tonic. Market characteristics and penetration Todays consumers in the cosmetic, food and beverage market are increasingly interested in healthy life-styles, a trend which has produced a sky-rocketing demand for health oriented products. Factors influencing the capacity creation : Innovative marketing capability of the marketing agency both in Indian and global market. Deciding role in capacity creation is vested with marketing agencies. The marketing strategy should be able to take replacement share in the existing and emerging market to justify capacity creation.. To start with, focus on the large Indian market, since supply scenario for Aloevera in developed countries like America which holds a large share of the global market is comfortable. Even in Indian market, there is threat of aloe based imported cosmetics Taking 3 to 5 % of the cosmetics ingredient market seems to be feasible. Supply scenario At present, Aloe vera gel is largely produced in the small scale and unorganised sector. The demand growth for Aloe vera gel is taking place by way of substitution in the existing synthetic cosmetic market and also taking proportional share in the emerging/growing market for cosmetic products. This trend is likely to continue in the future, paving way for increased demand for Aloe vera based cosmetic products and consequently Aloe vera gel.

GLOBAL SCENARIO AND EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES Now, Aloe bulk as well as extracts are widely used in food, cosmetic, healthcare, skincare and medical industry as active ingredients for extra therapeutic, hygienical, rejuvenating, health enhance effectives. Aloe vera was the highlighted ingredient in 1557 new products launches worldwide, Grape seed extract was the second most popular ingredient with 350 new products launches during the same period of time, 2001-2002. Global industry concerned with Aloe included 27000 companies, whose turnover exceeded 33 billion USD in 2001. FACTORS INFLUENCING THE POSITION FOR A NEW INDUSTRY A few developed countries like USA are doing serious medical research on the uses of Aloe products. Foods and Drug Administration of USA has already approved the developmental study of Aloe vera in the treatment of Cancer and AIDS.