Study on the Identification of Aloe Material in Foods Containing Aloe by Thin Layer Chromatography-Densitometry

Abstract

A method for distinguishing aloe material added to candy supplements by thin layer chromatography-densitometry has been developed. Candy containing aloe is blended, and extracted with water. The extract is cleaned up on a Sep-pak C₁₈ disposable cartridge by using methanol as the eluant. The eluate is spotted on a silica gel plate, and developed with ethyl acetate-methanol-water (100:16.5:13.5). The biological activity of aloe in candy on the developed plate is determined by densitometry with ultraviolet detection.
TLC patterns obtained from candy extracts could be classified into two categories, which may reflect the use of Aloe arborescens Miller and aloe powder (Japanese Pharmacopoeia) (or reagent aloin) as aloe material.