Abstract
Flowers of Aloe vera are a byproduct providing a valuable source of bioactive compounds with different functions for health benefits. The characterization in amino acids, organic acids, sugars, trigonelline, volatiles compounds, fatty acids, total phenolic, carotenoids, vitamin C content, and antioxidant capacity of Aloe flowers (Aloe barbadensis Miller) has been studied at three maturity stages (I: immature; II: mature; III: mature, with flowers buds opened). Immature flowers presented the highest content in phenyl alanine, tyrosine, citric acid, trigonelline, carotenoids, retinol activity equivalent, vitamin C, and total phenolic and antioxidant capacity. As the flower develops, the content of these compounds decreases. Aloe vera flowers presented an important content in fatty acids, and the principal concentration was identified in polyunsaturated unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as α-linolenic acid, and linoleic acid, with a ratio close to one. The main saturated fatty acid was palmitic acid, followed by stearic acid. Maturity stage III showed the lowest fatty acid content. The bioactive compounds found in Aloe vera flowers have potential applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food industries. Depending on the compound of interest, it could be worthwhile harvesting flowers at maturity stage I, thereby reducing the energy consumption of flowers from the plant and thus favoring plant development. This is an example of a circular economy for Aloe vera producers, generating economic and business opportunities and thus providing environmental and social benefits.
Highlights
Aloe vera is a plant that has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties to treat different human diseases and disorders [1]
There are no previous studies regarding the variation of amino acid content with Aloe vera flower development, the maturity stage of flowers is probably influenced in different metabolic pathways that these amino acids could be involved in
The increase in free amino acid content during the immature stages of flowers could be due to a de novo synthesis, whilst in the mature stages (II and III), amino acids are probably involved in the catalytic pathway
Summary
Aloe vera is a plant that has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties to treat different human diseases and disorders [1]. Several studies have reported different bioactive compounds such as amino acids, anthraquinones, enzymes, sugars, polyphenols, minerals, and vitamins (A, B, C, and E) in Aloe vera leaves and gel [2,3,4,5]. These bioactive compounds provide healthy properties, such as anti-ulcer, anti-hypercholesterolemic, antioxidant, antibacterial activity, antiviral activity, antifungal activity, anti-acne, nutraceutical, humectant, skin protection against UV-A and UV-B, wound healing properties, the prevention of type II diabetes and cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and the generation of antibodies [6,7]. The Aloe vera plant has an inflorescence in the form of a simple or compound cluster, capable of containing 100–200 hermaphroditic flowers, which are arranged helically on an erect leaking of approximately 90–100 cm in length that sprouts through the center of the plant
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