Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A planta Aloe é uma erva importante vastamente utilizada na medicina tradicional. Entre estas, a Aloe vera é considerada a espécie biologicamente mais activa e é também a espécie mais comercializada. Vários estudos revelaram que os compostos das suas folhas possuem actividade terapeutica. Da folha desta planta são obtidos o látex e o gel. O látex conhecido pelas suas propriedades laxativas. O gel consiste em cerca de 99.5% de água, os restantes 0.5 – 1% de material sólido (vitaminas hidro e lipossolúveis, minerais, polissacáridos). Aos polissácaridos tem sido atribuída muita da sua actividade biológica. Contudo, os efeitos terapêuticos não tem sido bem correlacionados com cada componente individualmente. Na realidade, acredita-se que estas actividades biológicas devem ser atribuídas a acção sinergística dos compostos contidos neste em vez de uma única substância química.
O processamento pode causar modificações irreversíveis as substâncias activas, o que pode promover alterações importantes nas propriedades fisiológicas e farmacológicas destes compostos. Foram revistos os métodos de processamento (secagem com ar quente, liofilização, processo de desidratação dessecante, processo de tempo, temperatura e higienização e desidratação osmótica) e sua influência nas propriedades do produto. A solução resultante do processamento da Aloe vera é incorporada com outras soluções ou agentes em produtos farmacêuticos, cosméticos ou alimentares.
O processamento do gel tornou-se uma grande indústria em todo o mundo devido a sua aplicação na indústria alimentar onde pode ser utilizado como matéria-prima ou ingridiente principal na elaboração de alimentos funcionais. Outra vertente da utilização de plantas medicinais, incluindo a A. vera, é como fonte natural de aditivos alimentares e na indústria suplementos alimentares. Existe actualmente no mercado português uma grande variedade de suplementos alimentares contendo a Aloe vera. A legislação permite que os produtos derivados de ervas possam ser comercializados na Europa tanto como produtos medicinais como produtos alimentares. A certificação deve ser uma aposta dos produtores e das empresas. Essa medida pode aumentar a confiança do consumidor. As empresas devem, também, colaborar com os organismos estatais no fornecimento de dados que permitam um estudo mais profundo sobre a planta e os beneficios da sua utilização e a regulação do mercado de produtos derivados.
The Aloe is an important plant widely used in traditional medicine. Among the Aloe genus, Aloe vera is considered the most biologically active and is also the most valuable species. Several studies show that its chemical compounds have therapeuthic effects. Latex and gel can be obtained from its leaves. The latex is known for its laxative properties. The gel is constitued of approximately 99 - 99, 5% of water and the remaining 0.5 – 1% of solid materials (vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides). Most of its biological effects are attributed to the polysaccharides. However, the terapeuthic effects of this plant have not been correlated to any of his compounds yet. Actually, it is supposed that its biological activity is due to the sinergistic action of its chemical compounds, rather than the action of one single chemical compound. Processing this plant can cause irreversible modifications to its active substances, which may cause important changes in the pharmacological and physiological properties of those same compounds. The processing methods were studied (hot air drying, freeze drying, desiccant dehydration process, time temperature and sanitation (TTS) process and osmotic dehydration), as well as their influence on the products properties. The solution resulting from the processing of Aloe vera is added with other solutions in pharmaceutical, cosmetical or food products. Processing of Aloe vera gel has become a worldwide industry due to its application in the food industry, where it is used as a raw material or as the main ingredient for the production of functional foods. Another use of this plant is as a natural source of food additives or in the industry of food suplements. In Portugal, there is an enormous variety of Aloe vera food suplements. The current regulation allows the products derived from herbs to be commercialized as medicinal products or food products. Certification and regulation of Aloe vera products is important and urgent. Certification can increase the level of confidence from the consumers. The entreprises should also cooperate with official institutions providing data that will allow the study of that plant, the benefits of its utilization and the regulation of its products in the market.
The Aloe is an important plant widely used in traditional medicine. Among the Aloe genus, Aloe vera is considered the most biologically active and is also the most valuable species. Several studies show that its chemical compounds have therapeuthic effects. Latex and gel can be obtained from its leaves. The latex is known for its laxative properties. The gel is constitued of approximately 99 - 99, 5% of water and the remaining 0.5 – 1% of solid materials (vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides). Most of its biological effects are attributed to the polysaccharides. However, the terapeuthic effects of this plant have not been correlated to any of his compounds yet. Actually, it is supposed that its biological activity is due to the sinergistic action of its chemical compounds, rather than the action of one single chemical compound. Processing this plant can cause irreversible modifications to its active substances, which may cause important changes in the pharmacological and physiological properties of those same compounds. The processing methods were studied (hot air drying, freeze drying, desiccant dehydration process, time temperature and sanitation (TTS) process and osmotic dehydration), as well as their influence on the products properties. The solution resulting from the processing of Aloe vera is added with other solutions in pharmaceutical, cosmetical or food products. Processing of Aloe vera gel has become a worldwide industry due to its application in the food industry, where it is used as a raw material or as the main ingredient for the production of functional foods. Another use of this plant is as a natural source of food additives or in the industry of food suplements. In Portugal, there is an enormous variety of Aloe vera food suplements. The current regulation allows the products derived from herbs to be commercialized as medicinal products or food products. Certification and regulation of Aloe vera products is important and urgent. Certification can increase the level of confidence from the consumers. The entreprises should also cooperate with official institutions providing data that will allow the study of that plant, the benefits of its utilization and the regulation of its products in the market.