Aloe Barbadensis
Wholesale of aloe vera for industry
In our aloe vera plantation in the Montes de Toledo we are committed to the cultivation of organically certified plants for the production of pure aloe vera gel and aloe vera juice.
At Alover we have opted for a type of sustainable organic cultivation, respectful of the environment and the landscape of the land on which we have grown up.
Natural gel obtained directly from our fresh aloe vera leaves, with no blends or artificial ingredients. Available in 200 ml format, ready for brands looking for a high quality base product for their cosmetic or personal care line.
8,50 €
Pure aloe vera juice, without preservatives or additives, made from fresh leaves from our own cultivation. 1 litre format ideal for brands looking for a premium ingredient for their line of healthy products, cosmetics or nutraceuticals.
12,50 €
We supply fresh aloe vera leaf 100% natural, freshly harvested and in optimal conditions for processing. Ideal for laboratories, cosmetic, food or supplement brands looking for high quality raw material.
In our aloe vera plantation in the Montes de Toledo we are committed to the cultivation of organically certified plants for the production of pure aloe vera gel and aloe vera juice.
There are more than 400 species of aloe plants, but it is Aloe Barbadensis, also known as aloe vera, which has traditionally been used for its medicinal properties and its benefits in natural cosmetics, both in the form of natural aloe vera and in its different presentations, moisturising cream, soap, mask, etc.
Cosmetics
The regenerating and soothing properties of aloe vera gel have made it a sought-after active ingredient in the cosmetics industry.
It softens the skin, allowing it to retain its natural moisture and thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects it promotes tissue regeneration.
The nutrient-rich composition of aloe vera gel acts on the skin with an anti-ageing effect by protecting it from the aggressions of the sun's rays and preventing dryness, both of which are key factors in the appearance of spots and wrinkles.
It is perfect for all skin types and after application leaves a non-oily and fresh feeling that is very pleasant in beauty products such as face creams.
Feeding
Because of its antioxidant, immune system modulating function and its ability to lower lipid and glucose levels, in recent years food supplements made entirely from pure aloe vera juice and food products that include aloe vera as a main component have become more widely marketed. Aloe vera juices, capsules, jams or aloe vera cubes in syrup can be found on the market.
Medicine
The properties and uses of aloe vera have been widely known since ancient times, forming a very important part of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, for its numerous properties in the treatment of skin diseases, diabetes and hypertension. In Western society it is one of the most widely used medicinal plants, especially topically for the treatment of burns.
The aloe plant contains components with anti-inflammatory properties and magnesium which gives it anaesthetic and analgesic effects. Its gel also contains ingredients with antimicrobial properties that prevent wound infection and act as a cell regenerator.
Hygiene
The presence of organic aloe vera gel is increasingly valued in personal hygiene products. Its high mucilage content makes it the perfect component of soaps and facial and body cleansing products, as it allows the skin to maintain its moist stratum while favouring the elimination of impurities and excess oil, which are essential for healthy skin.
Shampoos, gels, soaps and deodorants are products that can be easily found on the market, made exclusively from aloe vera leaves or in combination with other natural elements such as olive oil, rosehip oil or aromatic plant essences.
Are you interested in our aloe vera?
Our plants come exclusively from organic farming, we select the best soil and take special care that the conditions of temperature, humidity and light are optimal to achieve one of the best plants on the market.
We are convinced that only by using top quality raw materials, carefully harvested by hand and processed in local establishments, can we obtain aloe gel and juice that retains all its beneficial properties and satisfies the requirements of the most demanding consumers.
Aloe vera barbadensis is a succulent plant originating in Africa that has been known in Spain for centuries, the fruit of the Muslim heritage of the peninsula and which spread widely throughout the Mediterranean basin.
It belongs to the lily family and is characterised by its long, fleshy, water-rich leaves. The leaves of aloe can reach up to one metre in height under the best growing conditions, its edges have small teeth and its flowers are tubular in shape with an intense yellow colour.
It is a xerophytic plant which adapts perfectly to dry climates with low rainfall and temperatures ranging from 18º to 40º. It grows in full sun, in all types of soil, as long as it has good drainage to avoid waterlogging, but it prefers sandy soils with a slightly acidic pH and sufficient organic matter.
At Alover we are wholesalers of organic aloe vera, so the organic matter needs of our crops are covered exclusively with natural fertilisers and composts, which come from the decomposition of vegetable matter through the action of earthworms, fungi and bacteria.
Aloe barbadensis is propagated by means of bulbs or stems from an adult plant. The offspring are removed from the plant, the roots are cleaned and the plants are planted in plenty of light to encourage their development. In our plantation we self-supply with our own aloe plants, thus ensuring the quality and plant health conditions of our crop.
The earth is not our planet, it is our home.
Look deeply into nature and then you will understand everything better.
Quality seal
Aloe vera gel contains about 99% of water, and is very rich in mucilage (soluble fibre of a viscous nature), including acemannan.
Chemically, it is characterised by the presence of phenolic compounds of great antioxidant power, which are generally classified into two main groups: chromones and anthraquinones.
Chromones are natural bioactive compounds, used as anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. While anthraquinones are the basis of numerous natural dyes and are responsible for the laxative effect of aloe vera juice.
Several scientific studies have determined that the beneficial properties of aloe vera are directly dependent on its quality, with low quality aloe vera containing a higher concentration of aloin, a substance that can have undesirable effects. In order to maintain the right quality standards, organisations such as the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) has set certified quality standards, stating that an aloe vera product must have at least 5% of acemannan and less than 10 ppm (parts per million) of aloin.
At Alover we cultivate aloe vera barbadensis plants that produce organic aloe vera gel with an acemannan percentage higher than the one established by the IASC.
If you want to enjoy the benefits of aloe vera, we recommend that you select aloe vera products from organic farming and whose composition has been certified by a reputable organisation, both for direct use from fresh leaves and for the consumption of aloe vera gel or aloe vera juice.
The many properties of the components of aloe vera have been documented over the years as its chemical composition has become better known.
It is mainly attributed to two components: acemannan, a polysaccharide present in its gel with the capacity to stimulate the immune system, which is not produced in the body after puberty and must therefore be consumed with food, and anthraquinones, which act by preventing the reproduction of bacteria and viruses.
Aloe vera extract contains acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) which decreases inflammation and reduces pain.
It is mainly attributed to two components: acemannan, a polysaccharide present in its gel, which has the capacity to stimulate the immune system and which is not produced in the body after puberty, so it is necessary to consume it with food, and anthraquinones, which act by preventing the reproduction of bacteria and viruses.
Aloe vera extract contains acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) which decreases inflammation and reduces pain.
Aloe Vera contains water-soluble vitamins: B1, B2, B3, folic acid and vitamin C, and fat-soluble vitamins A and E.
Vitamin B1 facilitates the conversion of carbohydrates into energy, promoting nerve and cardiovascular function. Deficiency leads to tiredness and muscle weakness.
Vitamin B2 acts on body growth and red blood cell generation. Deficiency causes disorders of the skin and mucous membranes and the nervous system.
Vitamin B3 Its main function is to generate energy from carbohydrates and its deficiency causes tiredness, depression and headaches.
Folic acid has been shown to prevent central nervous system malformations leading to miscarriages, reducing birth mortality or permanent disabilities and is therefore routinely supplemented for pregnant women.
Vitamins A and E are powerful natural antioxidants, both of which are essential for vision, the immune system and fertility.
Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of body tissues, aids in the absorption of iron and is a powerful antioxidant that scavenges free radicals responsible for cellular ageing.
Some 17 amino acids have been identified in their compositionThe main one being arginine, which is involved in the synthesis of collagen, as well as different enzymes involved in cellular metabolic processes.
Regarding the presence of mineralsThe following have been identified in aloe vera: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, sodium, magnesium, manganese, copper, chromium, zinc.
Last but not least, glucomannan is present.a soluble fibre with a high capacity to capture water and which is used to combat obesity by producing a feeling of satiety and increasing intestinal transit. Its function of slowing down the emptying of the stomach also reduces glucose and insulin levels as it hinders absorption by the intestinal mucosa.
The miracle plant
The part of the plant used to obtain aloe vera juice is the leaves and there are two types of processing:
Whole leaf aloe vera juice
The leaves are crushed and the coarser particles are removed by enzymatic treatment and subsequent filtering to remove the aloin present in the leaf rind.
Aloe vera inner juice
The green bark of the aloe is removed by hand or mechanically, the yellow latex beneath the surface containing the aloin is rinsed off, and the gel inside is extracted and crushed to produce aloe juice.
Three types of commercial products can be obtained from this processing:
1. The yellow exudate that makes up the latex and that contains aloin is used in the pharmaceutical industry for its laxative properties.
2. The mucilage concentrate (acemannan) from from the inside of the leaf which is known as gel and is used in cosmetic and dermatological skin care products, or in the food industry as a dietary supplement.
3. Oil to be extracted from the fat fraction It is used as a pigment in cosmetics and for its sedative qualities.
We grow organic aloe vera
Growth and development
As in other Mediterranean regions
The cultivation of aloe vera plants is widespread in Spain, as the climate and soil conditions favour their growth. Levante, Andalusia and the archipelagos of the Canary and Balearic Islands began the path of its implantation and it has been extending over the last few years at the same time as market demand has grown.
The National Association of Aloe Entrepreneurs (ASOCIALOE)
which started with eight partners in 2010 and now has more than 90, predicts exponential growth in the sector, because although Europe consumes 20% of the world's aloe production, it is currently incapable of self-sufficiency.
We are the European country with the largest area dedicated to its cultivation.
Thanks to its special growing conditions, Spanish aloe vera has become one of the best quality aloe vera in the world. This quality is mainly due to several factors:
Where is the aloe vera plant grown?
Being a plant with an affinity for dry climates and well-drained soils, aloe vera has spread widely throughout the Mediterranean basin, with special emphasis on the Canary Islands where, thanks to their mild climate, aloe vera cultivation has become one of the most profitable crops.
In recent years, however, the number of hectares has been growing considerably in other regions, with Andalusia being the autonomous community where the largest number of plantations is currently concentrated.
How long does it take to grow an aloe vera plant?
The optimum age for harvesting aloe vera leaves is between two and five years for wholesale cultivation. Reproduction is by suckers, which are harvested when they reach 15 to 30 cm, grown in the nursery for six months and then transplanted for harvesting the leaves 18 months after transplanting, when they reach 60 cm or 400 g. in weight.
When growing at home, it is recommended that the lower leaves are only cut off when the pot has at least twelve leaves of sufficient size and that new leaves are allowed to grow before a lower leaf is cut off again. Normally up to four leaves will grow in three months under the right conditions of temperature, light and humidity.
How much does one hectare of aloe vera produce?
On average 21 to 27 tonnes per hectare per year. In suitable soils and weather conditions, 24 tonnes per hectare can be obtained in rainfed conditions and up to 45 Tn/Ha if cultivated in greenhouses with drip irrigation.
Profitability of aloe vera cultivation
The cultivation of aloe vera has emerged in recent years as an alternative for farmers to crops such as vines and olives.
Economic profitability
According to ASOCIALOE The studies carried out determine that this is a highly profitable crop from the third year onwards, since the first two years require investment to prepare the land, buy the young plants, plant them and care for them. It is from the third year onwards that the income curve begins to take off, with a net profit of €15,000 to €20,000 per hectare.
Social profitability
This is due to the fact that it is a labour-intensive crop, as all the planting, harvesting, fertilising and weeding are done manually, generating employment in the area.
Ecological profitability
Because it is adapted to dry climates, even on sloping land, its cultivation is very suitable for combating soil erosion.
Depending on the product to be obtained: latex, aloe gel or young shoots, some varieties are more suitable than others.
Aloe Barbadensis Miller
Among the commercial varieties, Aloe Barbadensis undoubtedly stands out, as it has a high yield in gel and shoot production and a good yield in latex production, with an aloin percentage that can reach up to 26%.
Aloe Ferox Miller
Also known as Cape aloe, it originates from the South African coast, is characterised by a higher mineral content than aloe vera barbadensis and a high yield of latex production, about twenty times more than other species of aloes.
Aloe chinensis
Highly valued for its gel production, its latex yield is lower and its aloin content lower than 12%.
Depending on the product to be obtained: latex, aloe gel or young shoots, some varieties are more suitable than others.
Aloe Barbadensis Miller
Among the commercial varieties, Aloe Barbadensis undoubtedly stands out, as it has a high yield in gel and shoot production and a good yield in latex production, with an aloin percentage that can reach up to 26%.
Aloe Ferox Miller
Also known as Cape aloe, it originates from the South African coast, is characterised by a higher mineral content than aloe vera barbadensis and a high yield of latex production, about twenty times more than other species of aloes.
Aloe chinensis
It is noted for its gel production but its latex production yield is lower and its aloin content is lower than 12%.
The economic value of a kilo of Aloe Vera will depend on the quality of the latex and gel (Aloe Vera crystal) and the percentage of aloin and acemannan.
Fresh aloe vera leaves can be found at retail for about €5/kilo.
On the wholesale market for processing as gel or latex extraction, the price varies greatly depending on the quality of the leaves, which is determined by the percentage of acemannan.
The economic value of a kilo of Aloe Vera will depend on the quality of the latex and gel (Aloe Vera crystal) and the percentage of aloin and acemannan.
At retail, a kilo of fresh aloe vera leaves can be found for as little as €2 per kilo.
On the wholesale market for processing as aloe juice or latex extraction, the price varies greatly depending on the quality of the leaves, which is determined by their content of active ingredients.
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