Bioavailability of Acemanan: An Active Compound Found in Aloe Gel

Abstract

Acemannan is said to be the biologically active substance in aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis). Many producers of aloe products utilize inadequate production and extraction methods, resulting in aloe products that contain little or no acemannan. This article outlines a systematic procedure for extracting the bioactive polysaccharide compound from the aloe plant. This paper also provides a description of the physical distinctive features of acemannan. The study also emphasized the determination of physical properties, such as the pKa and Log P values, of acemannan. The physical characteristics were used to evaluate the bioavailability and hydrophilicity of this chemical. The primary approach used to acquire these physical characteristics involves the extraction of acemannan from aloe vera, the creation of phosphate buffer with varying pH levels, the separation of acemannan between chloroform and buffer using the shake flask technique, and the utilization of spectrophotometric analysis. Chloroform was used as a representation of the lipid membrane in the experiment, whereas phosphate buffer was utilized to symbolize the blood. A buffer solution was used to maintain a steady pH at a desired value. The acemannan compound had a pKa value of 4.82 at a pH of 3.45, indicating its acidity. Additionally, the Log P value (chloroform/buffer) was determined to be -3.282, indicating its hydrophobicity. Thus, it was deduced that acemannan exhibited hydrophilic properties throughout the gastrointestinal system.