AOAC Official Method 2018.

14
Quantitation of Aloe Vera Polysaccharides

O-Acetyl and UV-VIS Spectrophotometry

First Action 2018
Caution: This method uses common reagents. Refer to the appropriate safety data sheets to ensure
that the safety guidelines are applied before using chemicals.

Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.–Causes burns and eye damage. Wear protective gloves,
clothing and eye protection. Use only in an effective fume removal device to remove vapors generated.

A. Principle
The acetyl groups from the 1,4-acetylated polymannose are reacted with hydroxylamine to form
acetohydroxamic acid. This resulting compound is then reacted with ferric chloride to form a reddish
ferric-acetohydroxamic complex. The amount of aloe vera polysaccharide is determined by measuring
the absorbance of the complex at 540 nm and comparing to a calibration curve using acetylcholine as a
reference standard. This method is able to quantify aloe vera polysaccharide content from 0.03–100%.
Since this method is non-specific and has not been validated for formulated finished products, its use is
limited to the analysis of processed raw materials only.

B. Apparatus

(a) UV-VIS spectrophotometer set to 540 nm.

(b) Cuvettes - 1 cm quartz or optical glass.
(c) Analytical balance – accurate to ± 0.01 mg.
(d) pH meter.
(e) Ultrasonic bath.
(f) Vortex.
(g) Orbital shaker
(h) Adjustable pipettors – 10–200 µL, 100-1000 µL, and 0.5–5 mL.
(i) Centrifuge tubes –15 mL disposable
(j) Reagent bottles – 100 mL.
(k) Volumetric flasks – 10, 50, and 1000 mL.
(l) 0.45 µm syringe filters.
(m) Graduated cylinder – 250 mL

C. Reagents

(a) Water, HPLC grade

(b) Gum acacia, Cat. No. 511985 (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA; www.sial.com)
(c) Hydroxylamine hydrochloride, reagent grade
(d) Acetylcholine chloride, Cat. No. A6625 (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA; www.sial.com)
(e) Ferric chloride hexahydrate, reagent grade
(f) Hydrochloric acid (12M), reagent grade
(g) Sodium hydroxide, reagent grade
(h) Sodium acetate, reagent grade

D. Solutions

(a) Hydrochloric acid (4M) - Dilute 67 mL of 12 M hydrochloric acid to 200 mL with deionized water.
(b) Hydrochloric acid (0.1 M) - Dilute 2.5 mL of 4 M hydrochloric acid to 100 mL with deionized
water.

(c) Sodium hydroxide (3.5 M) – Dissolve 14.0 g of sodium hydroxide in 100 mL deionized water.

(d) Sodium acetate (0.001 M) – Dissolve 136 mg of sodium acetate in 1000 mL ofdeionized water.

(e) Ferric chloride acidified (0.37 M) – Dissolve 10.0 g of ferric chloride in 100 mL of 0.1 M hydrochloric
acid.

(f) Hydroxylamine hydrochloride (2 M) – Dissolve 13.9 g in 100 mL of deionized water. This solution
must be prepared for use on the day of analysis.
(g) Alkaline hydroxylamine hydrochloride – Mix equal volumes of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and
sodium hydroxide solution. This reagent must be prepared for use on the day of analysis.

E. Optimization of pH

(a) The optimum pH for color development needs to be in the range of 1.0 – 1.4.

(b) Mix 1.0 mL of deionized water, 2.0. mL of alkaline hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 0.7 mL of 4 M
hydrochloric acid and 1.0 mL of ferric chloride.

(c) The pH should be in the range of 1.0 – 1.4. If not, modify the amount of hydrochloric acid used.

(d) If the pH is not acidic enough a brown precipitate will form, if too acidic the color response is
diminished.

F. Preparation of Test Solutions

(a) Preparation of calibration standard solutions.–Accurately weigh 50 ± 5 mg of acetylcholine chloride

into a 50 mL volumetric flask. Record the weight to the nearest 0.01 mg, dissolve and dilute to volume
with sodium acetate solution. Label as “Stock Standard Solution”. This standard must be prepared for
use on the day of analysis. Prepare calibration standard solutions in separate centrifuge tubes as
shown in the table below. Standard solutions 1–5 should be prepared in duplicate (Table 2018.14A).

(b) Preparation of liquid sample test solutions.–Accurately weigh (to the nearest 0.1 mg) the amount
listed in the table below into a 10 mL volumetric flask. Dilute to volume with water and pass through a
0.45 µm filter if the solution is not clear. Transfer 1.0 mL of this solution into separate centrifuge tubes.
The samples should be prepared in duplicate and assayed on the day of preparation (Table 2018.14B).
(c) Preparation of powdered sample test solutions.–Accurately weigh (to the nearest 0.1 mg) the amount
listed in the table below into a 50 mL volumetric flask. Add approximately 35 mL of water and place in an
ultrasonic bath for 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature, dilute to volume with water and pass through
a 0.45 µm filter. Transfer 1.0 mL of this solution into separate centrifuge tubes. The samples should be
prepared in duplicate and assayed on the day of preparation.

(d) For aloe vera samples of high polysaccharide (>20%) and high fiber content.–Shake the solutions at
200 rpm on an orbital shaker overnight in at least 35 mL of water, transfer to a 50 mL volumetric flask,
dilute to volume with water and pass through a 0.45 µm filter. Transfer 1.0 mL of this solution into
separate centrifuge tubes. The samples should be prepared in duplicate. These types of samples typically
are of very high molecular weight and require longer dissolution times (Table 2018.14C).
G. System Suitability

(a) Prepare a 1 mg/mL solution in water of gum acacia to be used as the negative control.

(b) The gum acacia must show no response.

H. Determination

(a) Colorimetric reaction.–To each calibration, system suitability and sample solution add 2.0 mL of
alkaline hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Vortex for 5 s and allow the solutions to react at room
temperature for 5 min. Add the amount of hydrochloric acid as determined in the optimization of pH
and vortex for 5 s. Add 1.0 mL of ferric chloride and vortex for 5 s. At this point, the solution will turn a
reddish- orange color.

(b) Small gas bubbles will form which can be removed by sonication for a few seconds. If the solutions sit
around for more than 10 min, sonication may have to be repeated to remove residual air bubbles.

(c) Measurement.–After the color has developed for 5 min, but no longer than 60 min, zero the
spectrophotometer at 540 nm with the blank standard. Measure the absorbance of the standards
and samples. Report the mean of the duplicate measurements.

I. Calculations

(a) Stock standard solution.-Calculate the concentration of the acetylcholine chloride in the stock
standard solution as follows:
Stock standard solution, mg/mL = M x P / 50

where M = mass of acetylcholine chloride (mg), P = purity of acetylcholine chloride

(b) Calibration standard solutions.–Using the concentration of the acetylcholine chloride stock solution,
calculate the actual mg of each standard solution as follows:

Calibration standard solution, mg = S x V

where S is the concentration of the stock solution (mg) calculated from (a) and V is the volume of stock
solution pipetted (0.2. 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mL)

(c) Calibration curve. – Plot absorbance at 540 nm vs mg of calibration standards. Using linear
regression calculate the slope, y-intercept and r2 of the curve.

(d) System suitability. – The r2 value of the calibration curve must be ≥0.98.

(e) Aloe vera polysaccharide content. – Calculate the aloe vera polysaccharide content in
% w/w as follows:

Total Aloe vera polysaccharides (w/w %) = [(A-b)/m] x [V/W] x 100

where A is the absorbance of the test solution at 540 nm; b is the y-intercept of the calibration curve; m
is the slope of the calibration curve; V is the total mL of sample solution; W is the weight of sample in mg.

References:

J. AOAC Int. (future issue)

AOAC SMPR 2015.015 (Aloe vera)

J. AOAC Int. 99, 318(2016)
http://dx.doi.org/10.5740/jaoacint.SMPR2015.015

Posted: February 2019

Table 2018.14A. Preparation of calibration standards

Stock
Calibration Water, Concn, mg/mL
standard
solutions mL
solution, mL
Blank 0.0 1.0 0.0
1 0.2 0.8 0.2
2 0.4 0.6 0.4
3 0.6 0.4 0.6
4 0.8 0.2 0.8
5 1.0 0.0 1.0

Table 2018.14B. Peparation of liquid samples

mg mL Assay range, %

6000 10 0.03–0.17
1175 10 0.17–0.85
235 10 0.85–4.25

Table 2018.14C. Preparation of powdered samples

Sample type mg mL Assay range, %

Dried juice powders 200 50 5-25

Purified aloe vera (>20%) 50 50 20-100