Chemical characteristics of acemannan polysaccharides of aloe ferox species under stresses of soil ph and irrigation

Aloe is made up of a vast range of compounds which can be divided into two groups for convenience of study viz., minor composition and major composition. The group of major composition includes complex sugars in Aloe leaf gel exhibiting immune stimulating action. From the various studies found that acemannan is considered a major and main active ingredient in Aloe gel. Acemannan stands out as a significant component in the fraction of major components, Therefore, knowledge of its chemical composition and physical properties are quite necessary for preparation of medicinal drugs. Aloe ferox is among the tallest of the more than 400 aloe species. Compared to the more widely known Aloe Vera, Aloe ferox produces 20 times more bitter sap and has higher nutrient concentrations. But concentration of polysaccharide, composition of gel, yield and growth attributes of Aloe plants are in considerable amount varied with species, climate, and exposure to sunlight, harvesting method and soil environment Thus in this investigation, studied the production of gel aloin, and acemannan polysaccharides and its physicochemical properties under various soil pH along with desiccation level in Aloe ferox plant species. In order to evaluate the response of physiological and yield attributes along with the chemical composition of gel, the experiment was laid in completely randomized block design with three replications under pot culture study. The results suggested that high soil pH 7.5 along with moderate moisture condition (crop coefficient kc=0.3 and 0.4) of the soil were favorable for vegetative growth and yield parameters of Aloe ferox plants. Aloin, dry solid gel content acemannan polysaccharides and was found maximum in dry soil stress condition. Nutritional value and mineral content also produced higher into higher soil pH and moderate moisture stress. The various treatments of soil pH and moisture supplements during cultivation of Aloe species appreciably affected the physical properties viz; density, solubility, viscosity and thermal stability of acemannan.