Aloe Vera Research Articles

Physical Characteristics Of Garut Starch Based Edible Film With The Addition Of Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe Vera)

Packaging technology in the form of starch-based edible film has been widely discovered and developed at present, one of which is Edible Film Pati Garut. Arrowroot starch has a starch content of 98.1% and is classified as high. The addition of aloe vera gel is known to inhibit the transfer of CO2 and O2 gases and contains many functional components that are able to inhibit damage to a product so it is hoped that it can improve the physical characteristics of the resulting film. This research aims to determine the effect of adding arrowroot starch and aloe vera gel on the characteristics of edible films, to determine the effect of differences in arrowroot starch concentrations on film characteristics, to determine the effect of differences in aloe vera gel concentrations on film characteristics and to determine the best treatment for adding arrowroot starch concentrations and aloe vera gel concentration on physical characteristics. This research used a factorial Randomized Group Design (RAK) method with 2 factors. The first factor is the concentration of arrowroot starch (A) (4%, 5% and 6%) and the second factor is the concentration of aloe vera gel (B) (3%, 4% and 5%) to obtain 9 treatment combinations with 3 repetitions. . The parameters observed included thickness analysis, transparency. The results of the study showed that there was no interaction between arrowroot starch concentration and aloe vera gel concentration on physical characteristics. The addition of arrowroot starch concentration has a significant effect on the thickness and transparency values. The addition of aloe vera gel concentration has a significant effect on the thickness and transparency values. The best treatment in this study was the A3B3 treatment (6% arrowroot starch concentration and 5% aloe vera gel) with an average value What was obtained was a thickness of 0.17 mm and a transparency of 2.162 (A546 mm).

Lyophilised Aloe excelsa Fractions, Photo-protection and Actinic Damage Retardation Claims Substantiation

Introduction: Ultraviolet radiation is potentially harmful to plants’ physiological structures and their photosynthetic apparatus through induction of photo-oxidative damage and photosynthetic inhibition. Aloe excelsa a resilient (sub) tropical plant has evolved various photo-protective mechanisms to proliferate in these harsh environments. With the current FDA, over-the-Counter Monograph M020 castigating 14 of the 16 approved sunscreens as “unsafe” to the ecology and human health, the hunt for safer sunscreens is on and phytoconstituents from photo-resilient plants may just  be the next generation, safe and efficacious sunscreens. Aims: This study investigated the photo-protective activity of lyophilized hydro-ethanolic Aloe excelsa extracts through phytoscreening and in-vitro estimations of their SPF, UVAPF, UVA/UVB ratio, critical wavelength, anti-oxidancy as well as anti-inflammatory potential. Methods: The Aloe excelsa gel matrix was physically extracted from transversely cut fresh rossetes, macerated in 70% ethanol, lyophilized and then subjected to both quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening techniques. The antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH scavenging assay, the photoprotection investigation was performed in-vitro using directives from COLIPA 2011/FDA Final Rule 2011 as guidelines and the anti-inflammatory capacity was evaluated using the protein denaturing test. Results: Qualitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of numerous primary and secondary metabolites of pharmacological interest, Quantitative phyto-analysis revealed that  Aloe excelsa has higher levels of total phenols, tannins and flavonoids than Aloe vera. Anti-inflammatory capacity was closely related to the standard Diclofenac and the anti oxidancy was almost equivalent to ascorbic acid. A prepared 50% Aloe excelsa gel had an SPF of 7.6 and a UVAPF of 4 and a critical wavelength of 375. The calculated photostabilities: %SPFeff and %UVAPFeff were both above 97%. Conclusion: The results confirm that Aloe excelsa is a multifunctional photoprotective material with confirmed anti-oxidancy, anti-inflammatory and UVR protection attributes. The 50% lyophilised Aloe excelsa gel can be technically classified as a low SPF sunscreen. The abundant primary and secondary metabolites correlate directly with the observed and calculated photoprotective parameters obtained in this study.

RETRACTION: Effect of adding Aloe vera jell on the quality and sensory properties of yogurt

AbstractRETRACTION: Ali Ikram, Syed Qasim Raza, Farhan Saeed, Muhammad Afzaal, Haroon Munir, Aftab Ahmed, Muhammad Babar Bin Zahid, and Faqir Muhammad Anjum, “Effect of adding Aloe vera jell on the quality and sensory properties of yogurt,” Food Science & Nutrition, 9, (2021): 480–488. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2017.The above article, published online on 13 December 2020 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the journal's Editor‐in‐Chief, Y. Martin Lo, and Wiley Periodicals, LLC. The retraction has been agreed to given evidence of an insufficient peer review process and the conflict of interest of a reviewer. The editorial office found unambiguous evidence that the manuscript was accepted solely based on compromised and insufficient reviewer reports. This evidence was further investigated and verified by the publisher and the Editor‐in‐Chief. As a result, the conclusions reported in the article are not considered reliable as the article was accepted based on compromised peer review. The authors were notified of the retraction and disagreed with this decision.

Evaluation of Turmeric, Ashwagandha, and Aloe Vera in the Management of Oral Lichen Planus Lesion

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric, ashwagandha, and aloe vera in the management of oral lichen planus (OLP) lesion. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with histologically confirmed symptomatic OLP with gingival presentation were included in this comparative investigation. Three groups of participants were created: Group I consisted of turmeric; group II included ashwagandha; and group III included aloe vera. For 3 weeks in a row, they were told to apply topical treatments twice a day. The patients were recalled for 4 to evaluate the cessation of symptoms. Result: The participants in all the groups showed a considerable improvement in the burning lesion size and pain after 4 months of follow-up. Conclusion: For the treatment of OLP, turmeric, ashwagandha, and aloe vera can be useful as substitute topical medications, particularly for those who are not responsive to topical corticosteroids.

A novel aloe vera mediated Bismuth-Magnesium-Copper nanocomposite for Radiation shielding applications

In the current study, Bismuth Magnesium Copper nanocomposites (BMC NCs) are synthesized using versatile solution combustion synthesis using Alovera extract as a reducing agent. As obtained BMC NCs are characterized using standard techniques. Bragg’s reflections confirmed the formation of multi-phase BMC NCs with crystal sizes 18.11 nm and 21.12 nm. The surface morphology of BMC NCs confirmed the agglomeration of spherical-shaped nanoparticles. EDAX spectrum analyzed the presence of Bi, Mg, and Cu. The direct energy gap is found to be 3.08 eV. X-ray/gamma radiation shielding properties are then evaluated using a NaI(Tl) detector coupled with MCA. Shielding parameters are slightly higher than lead. Neutron shielding parameters are compared with conventional shielding materials. Scattering length is found to be 8.8 fm, and neutron absorption cross-section and neutron attenuation parameters of BMC NCs are found to be efficient when compared with lead, concrete, and steel. Bremsstrahlung radiation shielding parameters are computed at 1.511 MeV. Bremsstrahlung efficiency is comparable to lead, bremsstrahlung dose rate and specific bremsstrahlung constant are found to be more in comparison with lead. Thus, BMC NCs are highly efficient in shielding X/gamma ray and neutron radiations.

Pancreatic Cancer: A Review on Pathophysiology, Naturopathy, Clinical Treatment and Outcomes

Abstract: The study aimed to comprehend the molecular mechanisms and pathophysiology of pancreatic cancer with an emphasis on the advances in treatment options and the use of natural products as anticancer agents. The study involved a literature survey using PubMed, Web of Science and Google scholar database. The literature search was done using keywords “Pancreatic cancer”, “Chemotherapy”, “Mutations”, and “Natural compounds”. 266 articles were studied of which 201 were taken into consideration based on relevance to the topic. Pancreatic cancer is associated with mutations of CDKN2A (encoding p16), KRAS, TP53 and SMAD4. MAPK, PI3K-AKT, and TGF- β pathway dysfunction also led to pancreatic cancer. Current clinical trial activities in pancreatic cancer target angiogenesis, surface receptors, cell cycle, DNA damage response, etc. Studies have shown that combining surgical resection with adjuvant chemotherapy increases survival rates in patients. New treatment options are on the rise for this cancer type, which is perioperative or neo-adjuvant therapy. Gemcitabine as a single treatment agent in pancreatic cancer has shown promising response with chemotherapy regimens using two combinations- Folfirinox and Gemcitabine/Nab-Paclitaxel giving a better response rate. Numerous natural substances, including curcumin, aloe vera, and taxol, which suppress oxidative stress, angiogenesis, JAK2 STAT3 pathways, and enhanced natural killer cell activity, have been explored as potential treatments for pancreatic cancer. With pancreatic cancer having a poor prognosis, investigations to comprehend its molecular underpinnings and research on natural chemicals could lead to the development of safer treatment alternatives with enhanced survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients.

Thymol, a Monoterpenoid within Polymeric Iodophor Formulations and Their Antimicrobial Activities

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an emanating threat to humanity’s future. The effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics against microbial infections is declining at an alarming rate. As a result, morbidity and mortality rates are soaring, particularly among immunocompromised populations. Exploring alternative solutions, such as medicinal plants and iodine, shows promise in combating resistant pathogens. Such antimicrobials could effectively inhibit microbial proliferation through synergistic combinations. In our study, we prepared a formulation consisting of Aloe barbadensis Miller (AV), Thymol, iodine (I2), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Various analytical methods including SEM/EDS, UV-vis, Raman, FTIR, and XRD were carried out to verify the purity, composition, and morphology of AV-PVP-Thymol-I2. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of this formulation against 10 selected reference strains using impregnated sterile discs, surgical sutures, gauze bandages, surgical face masks, and KN95 masks. The antimicrobial properties of AV-PVP-Thymol-I2 were assessed through disc diffusion methods against 10 reference strains in comparison with two common antibiotics. The 25-month-old formulation exhibited slightly lower inhibitory zones, indicating changes in the sustained-iodine-release reservoir. Our findings confirm AV-PVP-Thymol-I2 as a potent antifungal and antibacterial agent against the reference strains, demonstrating particularly strong inhibitory action on surgical sutures, cotton bandages, and face masks. These results enable the potential use of the formulation AV-PVP-Thymol-I2 as a promising antimicrobial agent against wound infections and as a spray-on contact-killing agent.

Optimizing callus formation in the endangered medicinal tree Hydnocarpus macrocarpa using phytohormone

Hydnocarpus macrocarpa (Flacourtiaceae) is one of the endemic and endangered medicinal tree, was selected to investigate the influence of plant growth regulators on callus formation. H. macrocarpa is majorly distributed at low and medium elevations of the Southern Western Ghats. The seeds of this plant are used for the treatment of ulcers, biliousness, leprosy and epilepsy. An experiment was carried out with two different methods. In the first method Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with cytokinin alone or combined with auxin (2–4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid; Naphthalene acetic acid; Indole acetic acid; Indole butyric acid and Gibberellic acid) at different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 µM) were used; in the seond method, MS medium supplemented with coconut endosperm (Solid and liquid) extract (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 %) with Aloe vera jelly extract at different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 %) in combination and separately were used. Among the different treatments, good callus proliferation was obtained using MS medium supplemented with Benzylaminopurine and in combination with Naphthalene acetic acid and 2–4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (3 µM and 4 µM). But the best callus proliferation, shoot tip proliferation; auxiliary root and shoot formation were observed in MS medium supplemented with Aloe vera jelly extract in combination with coconut endosperm extract. The natural growth regulators supplemented with the media gave a positive response for plant growth. The results showed that the natural growth regulators, such as coconut endosperm and Aloe vera jelly extracts were found to be more efficient than the synthetic growth regulators (auxin and cytokinin). The presence of Indole acetic acid and Indole butyric acid in both Aloe vera jelly extracts and coconut endosperm were confirmed by High performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis.

Formulation and evaluation of anti-acne herbal face wash

Herbal cosmetics are the preparation used to enhance the human appearance. Herbal formulations have significant demand in the global market. It is more acceptable to believe that natural remedies are safer with synthetic subjects than with fewer side effects. The current research works focuses extraction of neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), turmeric (Curcuma longa), aloe vera, glycerin, lemon juice, rose water and xanthan gum they have anti-acne, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant properties, with the help of this herbal ingredient developed and evaluates as a herbal anti-acne face wash. The face wash showed a multipurpose effect and all these herbal ingredients showed significant different activities. The ingredient uses in herbal face wash having properties softening of skin, remove acne as well as promote healing. The prepared formulation was evaluated based on number of criteria including consistency, pH test, spread ability, stability test, cleansing test, foam ability and grittiness.

Development of seat mats for drivers using Aloe vera

The automotive industry is continuously evolving to enhance driver comfort and safety. One crucial aspect of driver comfort is the seating experience, which plays a significant role in reducing fatigue and enhancing overall well-being during extended journeys. This abstract introduces a novel approach to seat mats for drivers, incorporating Agave Americana, commonly known as the American Century Plant, as a sustainable and effective material. The proposed seat mats for drivers are designed to offer a blend of durability, breathability, and comfort. Agave Americana fiber is known for its exceptional strength, making it an ideal candidate for a material that can withstand the rigors of daily use in a vehicle. Furthermore, its natural breathability helps regulate temperature and moisture, ensuring a more comfortable seating experience during long drives. Ultimately, the adoption of Agave Americana-based seat mats has the potential to improve driver well-being, reduce the environmental footprint of automotive manufacturing, and contribute to the broader shift toward sustainable materials in the industry.

Optimization and Bioactive Properties of Nanoemulsion Formulated with Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seed Oil and Aloe vera (Barbadensis miller Stockton) Gel

AbstractThe use of nanoemulsions, a nanotechnology technique, is very popular in the food industry to extend the shelf life of foods and preserve their quality. In this study, it was aimed to develop, optimize, and determine the bioactive properties of nanoemulsion containing Aloe vera gel (AVG) and hemp seed oil (HSO) for use in the food industry. Nanoemulsions containing different ratios of AVG (1 %, 2 %, and 3 %) and HSO: Tween 80(T80) (1 : 4; 20, 25, 30 %) were formulated by ultrasonication. Bioactive properties of nanoemulsions were determined by droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), viscosity, color, whiteness index, turbidity, conductivity, pH, antioxidant (DPPH), and antimicrobial activity analyses. The pH of the nanoemulsions was between 4.74 and 4.88 due to the acidic nature of AVG. PDI was determined in the 0.17 (HA8) range to 0.26 (HA1). According to the FT‐IR spectrum, it was determined that the entire nanoemulsion formulation did not undergo any chemical degradation and their particle sizes (range between 118.9 nm and 170.5 nm) were <200 nm. The small droplet size and PDI values obtained showed that the nanoemulsions had a homogeneous and stable structure in their dispersions. TEM results determined that all nanoemulsions showed a spherical shape, but the structure detected in the HA8 group had a more homogeneous appearance. The antioxidant activity of the nanoemulsions increased depending on the increasing HSO and AVG percentages. Unfortunately, no antibacterial activity of the nanoemulsions was detected against any of the bacterial strains tested. According to the analysis results, it was determined that the best nanoemulsion formulation belonged to the HA8 group containing 3 % Aloe vera gel and 5 % HSO in terms of TEM and PDI analyses.

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Scalp Scrub

Scalp scrub is usually used to treat problems like dead skin cells, dandruff, and flakes, and also controls sebum imbalance which helps to regulate hair growth. This article contains how aloe vera juice, fenugreek granules, rice powder, neem extract, hibiscus dried powder, optiphen, and lemongrass oil are used in scalp scrub. The properties of natural ingredients play an important role in removing impurities from the scalp and help exfoliate the scalp, balance the sebum, and soften and moisturize the scalp.

The Difference in the Effectiveness of Removing the Modern Super Ring Circumcision Device with Olive Drops and Aloe Vera Ointment Treatment

Background: Circumcision using the Super Ring method requires removing the ring after the wound is dry by treating used the principle of moisture. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the difference in the effectiveness of removing the Modern Super Ring Circumcision Device with Olive Drops and Aloe vera Ointment treatment. Method: The research design used Pre-Experimental with a post test only approach, used Accidental Sampling with a research sample of 32 respondents and tested using the Mann Whitney test. The majority of 14 respondents (87.4%) removed the circumcision ring with aloe vera ointment treatment in less than 10 days, while the majority of 15 respondents (93.7%) received circumcision ring removal with olive drops in more than 10 days. Results: The results of the Mann Whitney Test obtained a p value of 0.000, indicating that there was a significant difference, aloe vera ointment showed that the average time required to remove the Circumcision Ring was faster than olive drops. Conclusion: Aloe vera ointment made the wound environment more moist, thereby speeding up the wound healing process.

Formulation and Evaluation of Poly Herbal Body Scrub

The research aimed to produce an Polyherbal body scrub. These days, the demand for skin care products and treatments has increased to a larger extend.Having a proper appearance and a beauty standard has gotten a lot of importance. A typical skin care routine consists of a cleanser, a serum, a moisturizer and a sunscreen.Among these, it has been seen that the serums are the new go to when it comes to building an excellent skin routine. Serums come in various types of formulation be it for oily, dry or anything in between type of skin. Facial wrinkles and skin aging are undesirable outcome of photo damage and ultraviolet (UV) rays. Currently no effective strategies are available to delay skin aging process. Aloe Vera, glycerin and honeybee venom face serum is a highly concentrated cosmetic product. When using aloe Vera we get not only a quick cosmetic effects but also psychological satisfactions, serum has a property of rapid absorption and ability to penetrate into deeper layer of the skin. In the present work we have formulated the poly herbal body scrub by using Orange peel powder, SCI powder, SLS powder, Honey, Glycerine, Bees wax, Aloe vera. These formulations are safe to use for skin and found to be satisfied with all required characterizations. The scrub was evaluated by using the parameters like Appearance, Viscosity, pH, Spreadibility, Washability, Grittiness, Foamability, Moisture content, Consistancytest and Irritation.

Effect of chitosan on mechanical and thermal properties of novel aloe vera fiber reinforced composites

Abstract The aim of this work is to study the effect of chitosan on mechanical and thermal properties of aloe vera fiber reinforced composites. In this work, we have fabricated the five different composites namely pure polyester composite (SP), pure aloe vera fiber composite (S0), 1 wt.% of chitosan filled aloe vera fiber composite (S1), 3 wt.% of chitosan filled aloe vera fiber composite (S3), and 5 wt.% of chitosan filled aloe vera fiber composite (S5) through simple hand layup method and investigated the mechanical and thermal properties. From the results, it is concluded that, 3 wt.% of chitosan filled aloe vera fiber reinforced composite was performed well in all the testing and it is suitable for various engineering applications such as automobile, aeronautical and marine. SEM analysis shows good adhesion behavior between fiber and matrix with the addition of chitosan. Further, 3 wt.% of chitosan can be added in natural fiber based polymer composites to enhance mechanical properties of the composites.

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of probiotic, Aloe vera, povidine-iodine, and chlorhexidine mouthwashes in the treatment of gingival inflammation: A randomized controlled trial.

Chemical plaque control with mouthwashes as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control with a toothbrush and dental floss has been considered an effective method for controlling gingivitis. The anti-inflammatory effects of chemical plaque control benefit the oral tissues by reducing inflammation and bleeding. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of probiotic, Aloe vera, povidine-iodine, and chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwashes in treating gingivitis patients by assessing changes in their clinical parameters. This prospective study was conducted on 40 patients from our outpatient department, divided into 4 groups of 10 patients each: probiotic mouthwash group (group 1); herbal (Aloe vera) mouthwash group (group 2); povidone-iodine mouthwash group (group 3); and CHX mouthwash group (group 4). All participants were provided with the same type of manual toothbrush, the Pepsodent® toothpaste and a respective mouthwash for twice-daily use until the end of a 28-day observation period. Clinical parameters, such as the marginal plaque index (MPI) and bleeding on interdental brushing (BOIB), were recorded at baseline, and on the 14th and 28th day of the study period. All groups showed a significant decrease in the MPI and BOIB scores. The results were similar in patients who used a probiotic mouthwash and those who used a CHX mouthwash. A comparable change in the mean scores was observed among the herbal and povidone-iodine groups from baseline to day 28. In the treatment of chronic gingivitis patients,a probiotic mouthwash was nearly as effective as CHX in reducing the plaque and bleeding scores. It showed better results in all clinical parameters than herbal and povidone-iodine mouthwashes. Using a mouthwash along with routine tooth brushing can help in treating gingivitis and slow the progression of the periodontal disease.

Reduction of Malnutrition Related to Unsafe Water Consumption in Developing Countries: Potabilization of Surface Water and Traditional Well Water, with Plant Extracts

The consumption of unsafe water in rural areas is a real public health problem in developing countries. This situation mainly affects children under five years of age and causes several deaths and many cases of malnutrition every year. The objective of this study was to evaluate and optimize the capacity of four local plant extracts in the potabilization of unsafe water. Thus, Moringa oleifera and Boscia senegalensis seeds, or Aloe vera and Opuntia ficus-indica mucilages were prepared in a solution and applied during a jar test as biocoagulants and bioflocculants on three raw water samples of 82.3 NTU, 549.8 NTU and 796.9 NTU. After treatment results showed that 0.9 g/L of Moringa biocoagulant or 1 g/L of Boscia biocoagulant applied with 0.4 mL of Aloe vera bioflocculant or 0.6 mL of Opuntia ficus-indica bioflocculant reduced the turbidity of each water sample to values less than 5 NTU after only 15 min of decanting. Moreover, the sanitary quality of the water treated by these different extracts showed a perfect conformity of the physicochemical and microbiological parameters with the standards of acceptability in drinking water decreed by the World Health Organization. Thus, the application of these local plant extracts has made it possible to considerably improve the quality of unsafe water in record time. Their popularization could be an alternative in the fight against malnutrition related to the consumption of unsafe water, especially in rural areas.

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Aloe vera Leaf Extract and Evaluation of the Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of the ZnO/Regenerated Cellulose Film

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Aloe vera Leaf Extract and Evaluation of the Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of the ZnO/Regenerated Cellulose Film

Aloe vera Gel–Reinforced Biodegradable Starch–PVA Blends for Sustainable Packaging of Green Chillies

ABSTRACTThe objective of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of Aloe vera gel as a plasticizer and crosslinker in improving the properties of starch–polyvinyl alcohol blends that could find applications in packaging. The concentration of Aloe vera gel was varied (1%, 3%, 5% and 7% wt/wt) to produce SPA‐1, SPA‐3, SPA‐5 and SPA‐7 films, respectively. The plasticizing and crosslinking characteristics associated with Aloe vera gel had a positive influence on the mechanical properties of the films. Addition of Aloe vera gel increased the tensile strength of films from 27.45 MPa (control) to 32.98, 32.53 and 32.32, for SPA‐1, SPA‐3 and SPA‐5 films, respectively. Among all the films, highest elongation at break (20.62%) was observed for SPA‐3 films. Due to crosslinking, degree of swelling, water solubility and water vapour permeability for SPA‐3 films decreased by 5.58%, 38.29% and 21.44%, respectively, compared to control films. The contact angle of the SPA‐3 film significantly increased by 49.25% when compared to control samples. Scanning electron microscope images revealed compact and smooth surface microstructure of control films, and crosslinking was evident in presence of Aloe vera gel. The rate of degradation for SPA‐3 films in soil after 40 days was enhanced by 32.25% compared to control films. SPA‐1 and SPA‐3 films were tested for use as packaging material for storage of green chillies. Chillies under unpacked conditions, in control and SPA‐1 films, turned red in 3 days. Those stored in films with 3% Aloe vera gel began to change colour later (after 5 days) with no visual evidence of microbial or fungal growth. In summary, starch–polyvinyl alcohol matrix films with 3% Aloe vera gel (SPA‐3) were effective as a sustainable alternative in increasing shelf life of foodstuff.

Exploring the Biochemical Profiles of Medicinal Plants Cultivated Under Stressful Environmental Conditions

The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, attributed to diverse bioactive chemicals, is impacted by dynamic metabolic changes under environmental stressors such as salt, drought, and heavy metal exposure. This study aimed to elucidate the biochemical alterations in stressed medicinal plants and their implications for therapeutic qualities. Two groups of plants were compared: one cultivated in optimal conditions, serving as a control, and the other exposed to stressors mimicking real-world scenarios. Biochemical parameters, including total phenolic content, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and specific secondary metabolites, were assessed using established analytical methods. In a case study involving Aloe vera under elevated soil salinity, a significant decrease in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was observed. Surprisingly, aloin, an anti-inflammatory bioactive compound, exhibited notable upregulation. Stress-induced biochemical variations in medicinal plants differed significantly from those in ideal conditions, demonstrating adaptive responses, including modulation of secondary metabolite synthesis. While certain stresses led to an overall decrease in secondary metabolites, specific instances showed an overexpression of beneficial chemicals. Exploring drought stress in Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Vitis vinifera, and Artemisia tridentata, revealed a marked reduction in flavonoids and specific secondary metabolites. The study aimed to establish connections between metabolic alterations and stress-adaptive reactions. The findings contribute to understanding how environmental stress influences the therapeutic efficacy of medicinal plants and shed light on the molecular pathways governing stress-induced changes. In the investigation of heavy metal exposure, Hypericum perforatum, and Coriandrum sativum subjected to cadmium-contaminated soil exhibited an overall decline in secondary metabolites, including reduced hypericin content. Contrarily, hyperforin, linked to antidepressant properties, experienced a significant increase. These results have implications for pharmaceutical applications, sustainable farming practices, and the conservation of medicinal plant biodiversity amidst changing environmental dynamics. The study underscores the intricate relationship between environmental stressors and the biochemical makeup of medicinal plants, emphasizing their resilience and capacity to produce valuable bioactive molecules in challenging conditions. The comparative biochemical analysis of stressed medicinal plants involves assessing various parameters to comprehend how stress influences plant metabolism and bioactive compound production.