Impact of spatial and climatic conditions on phytochemical diversity and in vitro antioxidant activity of Indian Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

Abstract

The aim of present study was to focus on the impact of spatial and different climatic conditions on phytochemical diversity and antioxidant potential of aqueous leaf extracts of Aloe vera collected from different climatic zones of India. Crude aqueous extracts of Aloe vera from different states varied in climatic conditions of India were screened for phytochemical diversity analysis and in vitro antioxidant activity. Phytochemical analysis was performed with the help of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. DPPH free radical scavenging assay, metal chelating assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, reducing power assay and β carotene-linoleic assay were used to assess the antioxidant potential of Aloe vera aqueous leaf extracts. FTIR analysis in present study showed presence of various phytoconstituents from different Aloe vera samples. All antioxidant assays revealed that Highland and Semi-arid zone samples possessed higher antioxidant activity whereas Tropical zone samples possessed minimum. It could be concluded that different agro-climatic conditions have effects on phytochemical diversity and antioxidant potential of Aloe vera plant. This study demonstrated that antioxidant activity was higher in Aloe vera plants grown in Northern India in comparison to Southern India. Study also concluded that more phytochemicals are produced in plants under cold stress conditions. Aloe vera can be a potential source of novel natural antioxidant compounds.