The European Commission (EC) is to ban botanical species containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives (HADs) that includes aloe extracts in a decision set to have implications for the nutrition and nutricosmetic industry.
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has ruled whole-leaf Aloe preparations containing anthranoids not suitable for use in foods, including food supplements.
Polysaccharides from Aloe vera may boost the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp., says a new study from Chile that supports the prebiotic potential of the compounds.
Aloe vera research and development specialist Aloecorp has
announced a series of moves designed to meet demand for the
ingredient as well as bolster further research.
Aloecorp is further boosting the profile of aloe and its health
applications with results from a Thai study linking gel from the
plant to the prevention of kidney stone formation.
A study demonstrating the potential for aloe vera to enhance
vitamin C and B12 bioavailability could give manufacturers of the
ingredient another angle along which to promote it.
Aloecorp is bolstering its research behind its research and
development into the health benefits of the aloe plant by
publishing a compendium of studies.
Nutri Pharmaceuticals Research (NPRI) has reported a record first
quarter 2006, with sales of its oil powders up 45 percent on last
year's period to $421,000 as business development initiatives pay
off.
Nutritional powders supplier Nutri Pharmaceuticals Research will
introduce a range of products with higher bioavailability thanks to
a technology based on aloe vera.
UK natural healthcare firm William Ransom said today that it will
buy Optima Healthcare, the UK market leader in aloe vera brands,
and its Irish subsidiary for £23 million (€34.3m), reports
Dominique Patton.
New reports prove that the aloe vera plant, which has been used to
heal skin for more than 2,000 years, can also treat many oral
health problems including canker sores, cold sores, herpes simplex
viruses, lichen planus and gingivitis.
The herbal extract aloe vera, more commonly used in cosmetics, is
increasingly being added to foods, with the latest innovation from
German dairy company Onken in the form of an aloe vera-enriched
low-fat yoghurt.
Scientists from Texas A&M University are attempting to discover
how exactly the pulp of the Aloe vera plant acts to heal wounds -
and they are focusing on polysaccharides.
China's first aloe vera production base using membrane-separating
technology is now operating in southwest China's Yunnan Province,
reports the Xinhua News Agency.
