Aloe vera

Aloe vera (Aloe vera) is a perennial succulent plant belonging to the Asphodelaceae subfamily. The crop is globally valued for the unique chemical composition of its leaf pulp, which contains bioactive compounds, vitamins, and polysaccharides. In agricultural practice, aloe is cultivated as a specialized industrial crop primarily for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

The plant's historical origin is the Arabian Peninsula, but today it is successfully cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, such as Mexico, the USA (Texas, Arizona), India, and Mediterranean countries. It thrives in open, well-lit areas with arid conditions, as excessive moisture leads to root rot development and physiological stress.

Botanically, Aloe vera is a stemless or short-stemmed plant with a rosette of fleshy, lanceolate leaves covered in a waxy cuticle. The root system is shallow and fibrous. The plant stores significant water reserves in its leaf tissues, allowing it to survive prolonged droughts by adapting its metabolism to extreme heat and water scarcity.

Successful cultivation requires a light, well-draining substrate with a neutral to slightly acidic pH and excellent aeration. Agronomic management includes drip irrigation during peak growth periods, monitoring planting density to ensure proper airflow, and regular weeding. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied cautiously to avoid excessive succulent growth, which can degrade the quality of the raw material.

• Prevention of waterlogging to avoid root rot.
• Strict adherence to temperature requirements (minimum +10°C).
• Integrated pest management against aphids, scale insects, and mealybugs.
• Proper harvesting techniques for mature leaves to extract gel.

The main economic use of Aloe vera is the production of gel and extracts. On an industrial scale, mature lower leaves are harvested and processed. These products are widely utilized in dermatology, the food industry as a functional beverage additive, and as a key ingredient in skincare products due to their potent regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties.