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Abstract
Although a vast number of Aloe species are known, only the Aloe vera and Aloe arborescens species are currently used by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, the current study aims to complete the existent literature data with new information on the phytochemical composition of some lesser-known Aloe species, with the main focus on carotenoids and fatty acids. Among the analyzed species, Aloe aculeata and Aloe ferox had the highest content in carotenoids, the major pigments being lutein and β-carotene (according to HPLC analysis). The fatty acid profile of each Aloe species was analysed by GC–MS. Linolenic and linoleic acids were the major polyunsaturated fatty acids found in higher percent in Aloe ferox, Aloe spectabilis and Aloe marlothii. Instead, Aloe aculeata proved to have a distinct fatty acid profile, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. Species such as Aloe arborescens and Aloe marlothii proved to have the highest antioxidant potential according to data of DPPH, ORAC, HPS assays, even if the richest one in vitamin C was found to be Aloe spectabilis. Though the scientific research is mainly focused on the common species Aloe barbadensis, the current data suggests that other Aloe species could receive more attention from industry part, being great sources of bioactive compounds.
Highlights
The genus Aloe (Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae) comprises over 500 species, of all the most well-known being Aloe vera
Carotenoid content in whole Aloe leaves extracts Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)) is the analytical technique preferred by researchers for the carotenoids separation, quantification and their structural characterization [34]
Aloe aculeata and Aloe ferox species might be taken into consideration as sources of carotenoids, of which Aloe aculeata is the richest one in β-carotene and Aloe ferox in lutein
Summary
The genus Aloe (Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae) comprises over 500 species, of all the most well-known being Aloe vera. The biological properties of Aloe such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-tumoral, and antioxidant, as well as wound healing ones are sustained by numerous in vitro and in vivo studies [1, 3]. These properties could be attributed to various compounds of the phytochemical profile of Aloe extracts, rather than to one single class. Fatty acids are bioactive compounds and an important part of the phytochemical content of Aloe, being widely used as feedstocks in the food industry and in the manufacture of soaps, detergents and cosmetics [23] Both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are relevant for their biological functions [24]. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are important dietary fats having
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