Functional Applications of Aloe vera on Textiles: A Review

Aloe vera is one of the oldest medicinal plants in human history. It exhibits 200 or more different biologically-active substances and has attracted many researchers into its potential applications. Researchers have also noted that Aloe vera has fewer adverse effects on human health than other alternative herbal medicines. Aloe vera leaves contain acemannan which is the key functional component. Acemannan is a long-chain polymer consisting of randomly acetylated linear d-mannopyranosyl units and has immune modulation, antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor properties. Due to this functional attribute, the Aloe vera plant is known as a healing plant. Researchers claim that Aloe vera treatment can speed wound healing, offer UV protection, and has anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. Historically, Aloe vera has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes. Aloe vera contains a moisturizing agent for which it is used in cosmetics. Aloe gel is also used in computer memory hardware to reduce electronic waste. Recently Aloe vera are extensively used to prepare the different types textile composite which are involved in the field of wound healing, tissue engineering, medical textile, health care textiles, curative garments, cosmetotextiles, UV protective textiles, wearable electronic textiles and so on. Aloe vera is used in pre-treatment and printing due to its succulent enzymatic and gummy characteristics. Aloe gel also contains a salty substance that allows its use in natural, eco-friendly dyeing. This review considers the many actual and potential applications of Aloe vera based textile composite materials for therapeutic and other purposes. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

Aloe vera is an ancient medicinal plant with over 200 biologically-active substances, known for its healing properties and fewer adverse effects compared to other alternative herbal medicines. The key component in Aloe vera leaves is acemannan, a long-chain polymer with immune modulation, antibacterial, antifungal, and antitumor properties. Aloe vera is extensively used in cosmetics, wound healing, and textile composites for various purposes such as tissue engineering, medical textiles, and UV protection textiles.