Characterization of bitter and non-bitter type of Aloe vera*

Abstract

Aloe vera, a high-value medicinal crop cultivated for its active principles in drug industry, is normally bitter in taste. There exists in nature another type of A. vera which is nonbitter, thus used as vegetable in arid parts of Rajasthan. Both types have not been compared and reported, hence this study was conducted. Polysaccharide content and leaf characters except leaf biomass of both types were similar. However, aloin content of these 2 types was significantly different which ranged from 0.033 to 0.061% in non-bitter type and 6.76 to 12.43% in bitter A. vera. RAPD analysis yielded 2 distinct clusters of non-bitter and bitter types of A. vera. Based on aloin content and RAPD analysis, it can be concluded that non-bitter type of A. vera is a different ecotype that can be used as a vegetable.