There are various aloe species growing in a particular location with a definite pattern of distribution. One particular species grows exceptionally on the rock cliffs were there is limited presence of other vegetation. Other aloe species in the same area grow at the foot of the rock.
Quite possible, but you need to test for the constituents using various chemical tests. Here you should target the anthracene glycosides which are the major constituents. Any variation in the content of aloin, barbaloin, aloe-emodin, isobarbaloin can be vital as this are the major contributors to its purgative activity. Other than these the hormones, chromones, carbohydrates, enzymes, proteins and vitamins which altogether have been held responsible for its antioxidant, antiallergic, antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities might also prove useful for your analysis. Extrinsic factors are a major cause of variability in drug activity.
Variations are possible as the composition of secondary metabolites depend on soil nature, vaialbility of water and nutrients, sunlight, microbial attacks etc
Obviously according to species there will be definitely variations.
Dear Andima,
Plant chemical constituents (phytochemicals) particularly secondary metabolites tend to vary with respect to varietal, seasonal, agro-climatic and phyto-geographic conditions. Propagation/cultivation and harvesting mode also affect significantly the content of phytochemicals. Many compounds with diverse structures have been isolated from A. vera leaves and the exudate. Anthraquinones/ anthrones including aloe-emodin, aloetic-acid, anthranol, aloin A and B (or collectively known as barbaloin), isobarbaloin, emodin, ester of cinnamic acid are reported. The bitter yellow exudate contains 1,8 dihydroxyanthraquinone derivatives and their glycosides. The aloe pulp has been shown to contain proteins, lipids, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, inorganic compounds and small organic compounds in addition to the different carbohydrates. Reports exist on chemotaxonomic variation in the polysaccharide composition of aloe. Large fluctuations in polysaccharide composition has been explained by the fact that the mannosyl residues are contained in a reserve polysaccharide with a significant seasonal influence, as well as large variations between cultivars in terms of the quantities of mannose-containing polysaccharides within the parenchyma cells. You can find a number of research papers/reports on this aspect through net-browsing.
- Badges
- Science topic