The effect of planting density and nitrogen fertilizer on Active substances in medicinal plant Aloe vera L

Aloe vera gel and extract has been used in cosmetics and medicine since ancient times. Aloe vera gel has numerous biological and physiological properties including treatment of burns and skin wounds, anti wrinkle effect, stopping the growth of some bacteria and parasites, resistance against chemical synthesis due to the presence of Antrakinon compounds and stopping AIDS virus activity. In order to study the effects of planting density and nitrogen fertilizer on the active ingredients (Aloenin, barbaloin, and Maleic acid) in the medicinal plant Aloe vera L., an experiment was done in Mazandaran, Noshahr in 2009. The experiment was performed as factorial on the basis of randomized complete blocks design in three replications. Nitrogen treatment (urea fertilizer, 46% net nitrogen) was in three levels of 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha and density treatment was in three levels of 2, 4 and 6 plant/m². After extracting the gel from Aloe barbadensis leaf, the amounts of effective material (Aloenin, Barbaloin and Maleic acid) were evaluated by High Performance (Pressure) Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The highest amount of the active substances and maleic acid obtained from the treatment of 150kg/ha and density of 4 plants /m2 was as follows respectively: 1133/3µg/g aloenin, 429/3 µg/g barbaloin and 312 g/100g maleic acid.