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Biological treatments for quality improvement and production of Aloe vera gel

Article in GSC Advanced Research and Reviews · October 2021

DOI: 10.30574/gscarr.2021.9.1.0237

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Biological treatments for quality improvement and production of Aloe vera gel
Domenico Prisa 1, * and Marco Gobbino 2
1 CREA Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Via dei
Fiori 8, 51012 Pescia, PT, Italy.
2 Welcare Research srl, Via San Giovanni sul Muro 18, 20121 Milano, MI, Italy.

GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 09(01), 054–063

Publication history: Received on 09 September 2021; revised on 10 September 2021; accepted on 12 September 2021

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2021.9.1.0237

Abstract
Research goal: The aim of this work was to develop a sustainable and innovative organic cultivation protocol, usable
by local Italian companies, based on the use of microbial biostimulants (beneficial bacteria and fungi, arbuscular
mycorrhizae and algae) able to improve the growth and quality production of the medicinal gel of Aloe vera.

Materials and Methods: The experiments, started in December 2020, were conducted in the greenhouses of CREA-OF
in Pescia (Pt), Tuscany, Italy (43°54′N 10°41′E) on Aloe vera (4 year old plants). The experimental groups were: i) group
control, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; ii) group with Effective microorganisms irrigated with
water and substrate previously fertilized; iii) group with Trichoderma spp. irrigated with water and substrate previously
fertilized; iv) group with arbuscular mycorrhizae irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; v) group with
Ascophyllum nodosum irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized.

Results and Discussion: The experiment showed a significant improvement in agronomic parameters and physical,
chemical and microbiological characteristics analysed on plants treated with microbial and algae-based biofertilizers.
In particular, there was a significant improvement in the number of leaves per plant, new shoots, fresh vegetative
weight, root and gel weight and the inflorescences number. On the leaves of the treated theses, there was a significant
increase in leaf length and width and an improvement in gel pureness (optical density). There was also an increase in
the number of microorganisms in the treated substrates and a lowering of the pH of the growing medium. The test also
showed a lowering of the pH of the gel and a significant increase in soluble solids, sugars and fiber content in the theses
inoculated with Effective microorganisms and a significant increase in fructose, glucose, proline and aloin.

Conclusions: The trial confirms the significant results already obtained in other trials on vegetable, ornamental and
Aloe plants by applying biofertilizing microorganisms and algae. The aim of this work was to develop an organic
cultivation protocol based on microbial and algae treatments that can be used to improve the quality of Aloe vera plants.
This protocol can be applied in general by those companies that are dedicated to the production of ornamental and fruit
cacti and succulents and want to reduce or even eliminate the use of plant protection products

Keywords: Sustainable agriculture; Beneficial microorganisms; Medicinal extracts; Succulent plants; Biofertilizers

1. Introduction
The name of the plant Aloe vera is derived from the Arabic word "Alloeh" and means “sparkling sour substance”, while
"Vera" is derived from Latin and means "genuine". Belonging to the Aloaceae family, it can reach 100 cm in height and


Corresponding author: Domenico Prisa
CREA Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Via dei Fiori 8,
51012 Pescia, PT, Italy.
Copyright © 2021 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0.
 GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 09(01), 054–063

live in favorable conditions up to 50 years. Genus of evergreen, shrub-like, perennial and climbing plants with fat foliage
and elongated flowers varying in colour from orange to scarlet [1,2,3].

The Aloaceae family comprises some three hundred and fifty plant varieties throughout the planet. In 1955, 132 species
were listed in South Africa alone. The botanical classification of Aloe is complex due to the extreme ease with which
these plants hybridize; it is believed that there are over 300 species, with at least 300 natural hybrids [4]. Aloe plants
reproduce by means of pollination, which takes place thanks to birds and insects; this is because the plant is unable to
fertilize itself independently and must receive pollen from another plant, so the fertilized flower matures, loses its petals
and turns into a fruit that will later release its seeds, which are then blown around by the wind. Its grow mostly in
waterless area or region of America, Europe, Asia, Africa and other warm area [5]. Aloe plants have more than 250
species but only two species now commonly, Aloe barbadensis Miller and Aloe arborescens are the most famous. The
ideal growing temperatures are around 20-24°C. By their very nature, these plants are drought-tolerant, while they
have no tolerance for waterlogging [6]. In their natural habitats they always grow on well-drained slopes and never at
the bottom of valleys or in concave places. The pH of the soil should be slightly acidic and the irrigation water should
have a very low sodium content [7].

1.1. Biofertilizers improve plants growth

The development of organic agriculture and the growing demand for healthy food and long-term sustainability has led
to the increasing development of new alternatives to synthetic fertilizers [8]. The application of biofertilizers in plant
breeding can result in numerous benefits for improving plant and soil quality and productivity, as they can enhance
nutrient transfer from soil to plants, improve soil microbial biodiversity, stabilize soil aggregates, and reduce fossil fuel
use [9]. Algae possess several properties: increase soil porosity and production of adhesive substances that aggregate
soil particles; presence of hormones (auxin, gibberellin), vitamins, and amino acids; ability to retain water in their
gelatinous structures; increase in biomass as a result of their desiccation and decomposition; decrease soil salinity;
reduce weed development; and increase in soil phosphorus as a result of excretion of organic acids. Benefits from the
use of biofertilizing algae have been reported in several cereal, vegetable, and ornamental crops [10].

1.2. Effective Microorganisms in sustainable agriculture

Effective micro-organisms are a commercial microbial selection containing a mixture of coexisting beneficial
microorganisms collected from the natural environment. This selection was developed at the University of Ryukyus,
Japan, in early 1980 by Prof. Teruo Higa. About 80 different microorganisms are able to positively influence the
decomposing organic substance in such a way as to transform it into a process of "promoting life" [11].

The main species involved in EM include:

• Lactic acid bacteria – Lactobacillus plantarum, L. casei, Streptoccus lactis;

• Photosynthetic bacteria – Rhodopseudomonas palustrus, Rhodobacter spaeroides;
• Yeast – Saccharomyces cereviasiae, Candida utilis;
• Actinomycetes – Streptomyces albus, S. griseus;
• Fermenting fungi – Aspergillus oryzae, Mucor hiemalis.

EM is a fermented mixed culture of naturally occurring species of micro-organisms coexisting in an acid environment
(pH less than 3, 5). Microorganisms in EM improve crop health and yield by increasing photosynthesis, producing
bioactive substances such as hormones and enzymes, accelerating the decomposition of organic materials and
controlling soil diseases [12]. Effective micro-organisms can be used as herbal insecticides to control insects and
pathogenic microorganisms and can also be used as plant growth inducers [13]. Soil micro-organisms have an important
influence on soil fertility and plant health. EMs interact with the soil-plant ecosystem by controlling plant pathogens
and disease agents, solubilizing minerals, increasing plant energy availability, stimulating the photosynthetic system,
maintaining the microbiological balance of the soil, fixing biological nitrogen [14]. A characteristic of this mixture is the
coexistence of aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms. After Higa's research in Japan, the characteristics of EM have
been studied in many countries [15,16 ]. Studies have shown positive effects of the application of EM on soils and plants
on soil quality and nutrient supply, plant growth, crop yield and crop quality [17]. However, in some studies no positive
effects were found [14].

The aim of this work was to develop a sustainable and innovative organic cultivation protocol, usable by local Italian
companies, based on the use of microbial biostimulants (beneficial bacteria and fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizae and
algae) able to improve the growth and quality production of the medicinal gel of Aloe vera (Figure 1).

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Figure 1 Pots cultivation of Aloe vera in the greenhouses of CREA-OF

2. Material and methods

2.1. Greenhouse experiment and growing conditions

Material and methods The experiments, started in December 2020, were conducted in the greenhouses of CREA-OF in
Pescia (Pt), Tuscany, Italy (43°54′N 10°41′E) on Aloe vera (4 year old plants). The plants were placed in ø 20 cm pots;
30 plants per thesis, divided into 3 replicas of 10 plants each. All plants were fertilized with a controlled release fertilizer
(3 kg m3 Osmocote Pro®, 9-12 months with 190 g/kg N, 39 g/kg P, 83 g/kg K) mixed with the growing medium before
transplanting. The experimental groups were:

 Group control (CTRL) (peat 50% + pumice 50%), irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized;
 Group with Effective microorganisms (EM) (peat 50% + pumice 50%) irrigated with water and substrate
previously fertilized, dilution 1:100 (1L of EM inoculum dilution 1:100 was used for each 10L of peat),
treatment every 20 days;
 Group with Trichoderma spp. (TRICHO) (peat 50% + pumice 50%) irrigated with water and substrate
previously fertilized, 1g of TNC TricorrP5 with every 5 litres of growing medium;
 Group with Arbuscular mycorrhizae (MICO) (peat 50% + pumice 50%) irrigated with water and substrate
previously fertilized, 50g of TNC MycorrMax into every 15 litres of growing medium;
 Group with Ascophyllum nodosum (ASCO) (peat 50% + pumice 50%) irrigated with water and substrate
previously fertilized (for the algae product, Ecoalga® was used added to the growing substrate), 100g of
Ecoalga® into every 10 litres of growing medium;

The plants were watered 2 times a week and grown for 10 months. The plants were irrigated with drip irrigation. The
irrigation was activated by a timer whose program was adjusted weekly according to climatic conditions and the
fraction of leaching. On September 15, 2021, leaves number per plant, plantlets number per plant, inflorescences
number, substrate microbial count, pH, fresh leaves weight, fresh gel weight, fresh roots weight, weight leaf length, leaf
width and optical density on 5 leaves of the plant, gel nutrient and chemical composition were analyzed (Figure 2). In
addition the content of sugars, aloin and proline, has been evaluated. 3 leaves per plant, 3 plants per treatment for the
evaluation of sugars [18], proline [19] and aloin [20] have been selected.

2.2. Statistics
The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design. Collected data were analysed by one-way
ANOVA, using GLM univariate procedure, to assess significant (P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001) differences among treatments.
Mean values were then separated by LSD multiple-range test (P = 0.05). Statistics and graphics were supported by the
programs Costat (version 6.451) and Excel (Office 2010).

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3. Results
The experiment at the CREA-OF greenhouse in Pescia showed a significant improvement in agronomic parameters and
physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics analysed on Aloe vera plants treated with microbial and algae-
based biofertilizers. In particular, there was a significant improvement in the number of leaves per plant, new shoots,
fresh vegetative weight, root and gel weight and the inflorescences number.

On the leaves of the treated theses, there was a significant increase in leaf length and width and an improvement in gel
pureness (optical density). There was also an increase in the number of microorganisms in the treated substrates and
a lowering of the pH of the growing medium. The test also showed a lowering of the pH of the gel and a significant
increase in soluble solids, sugars and fiber content in the theses inoculated with Effective microorganisms and a
significant increase in fructose, glucose, proline and aloin.

Table 1 Evaluation of biofertilizer treatments on the agronomic characters of Aloe vera

Number of Number of Fresh leaf Fresh weight Fresh gel Inflorescences

Group leaves per plantlets per weight of roots weight number
s plant (n°) plant (g) (g) (g) (g) (n°)
CTRL 23,00 d 3,20 c 393,23 c 361,11 d 129,37 e 0,40 b
EM 36,00 a 7,20 a 462,79 a 405,67 a 154,93 a 1,40 a
TRICH 26,00 c 4,00 c 397,95 c 376,71 c 135,95 d 0,80 ab
O
MICO 26,00 c 5,60 b 415,26 b 393,18 b 139,62 c 0,80 ab
ASCO 29,00 b 5,60 b 423,24 b 390,75 b 143,60 b 0,80 ab
ANOVA *** *** *** *** *** ns
One-way ANOVA; n.s. – non significant; *,**,*** – significant at P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively; different letters for the same element indicate
significant differences according to Tukey’s (HSD) multiple-range test (P = 0.05). Legend: (CTRL): control; (EM): Effective microorganisms;
(TRICHO): Trichoderma spp.; (MICO): Arbuscular mychorryzae; (ASCO): Ascophyllum nodosum

In (Table 1), in Aloe vera there was a significant increase in the number of leaves per plant in (EM) 36.00, (ASC0) with
29.00 and (TRICHO) and (MICO) with 26.00, compared to 23.00 in (CTRL). There was also a significant increase in the
number of shoots per plant, 7.20 (EM), 5.60 (MICO) and (ASCO), compared to 4.00 in (TRICHO) and 3.20 (CTRL). In
terms of vegetative weight, the (EM) thesis was the best with 462.79 g, followed by (ASCO) and (MICO) with 423.24 g
and 415.26 g respectively and (TRICHO) with 397.95 g and (CTRL) with 393.23 g (Figure 2). The same trend for root
weight where (EM) showed a weight of 405.67 g, (MICO) and (ASCO) 393.18 g and 390.75 g respectively, ((TRICHO)
with 376.71 g followed by (CTRL) with 361.11 g (Figure 3-4). In terms of fresh gel weight, (EM) was the best thesis with
154.93 g, followed by (ASCO) with 143.60 g, (MICO) with 139.62 g, (TRICHO) with 135.95 g and (CTRL) with 129.37 g
(Figure 5C-5D). There was also a positive increase in the number of inflorescences in the thesis treated with Effective
microorganisms.

In terms of leaf characteristics of Aloe Vera (Table 2), thesis (EM) showed the leaves with the longest length 59.98 cm,
followed by thesis (MICO) with 53.28 cm, (ASCO) with 50.21 cm, (TRICHO) with 47.20 cm and (CTRL) with 46.16 cm
(Figure 5A). In terms of leaf width, thesis (EM) was also the best with 13.69 cm, followed by (ASCO) with 12.59 cm,
(MICO) with 11.79 cm and (TRICHO) with 10.78 cm, and finally the (CTRL) with 10.52 cm (Figure 5B). The optical
density value, which can be identified on the denaturation process of Aloe gel, showed a lower value in theses (EM),
(ASCO) and (CTRL) with 1.033, 1.038 and 1.039 respectively. Higher values and thus more degradation in thesis (MICO)
with 1.042 and (TRICHO) with 1.056. The analysis of the culture medium showed a significant increase in the number
of microorganisms in thesis (EM) 3.7x103 (cfu/g), followed by (MICO) with 3.5x10 3 (cfu/g), (TRICHO) with 3.3x103
(cfu/g), (ASCO) with 5.6 x 102 (cfu/g) and finally (CTRL) with 3.4 x 102 (cfu/g). There was also a lowering of the pH (5.9)
of the substrate in the thesis treated with Effective microorganisms.

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Table 2 Characteristics of fresh Aloe vera leaves and microbiological activity of the substrate

Microbial
Leaf lenght Leaf width Optical density Substrates
Groups count
(cm) (cm) (abs) pH
(cfu/g)
CTRL 46,16 d 10,52 d 1,039 bc 3,4 x 102 e 6,6
EM 59,98 a 13,69 a 1,033 c 3,7 x 103 a 5,9
TRICHO 47,20 d 10,78 d 1,056 a 3,3 x 103 c 6,2
MICO 53,28 b 11,79 c 1,042 b 3,5 x 103 b 6,3
ASCO 50,21 c 12,59 b 1,038 bc 5,6 x 102 d 6,4
ANOVA *** *** *** *** -
One-way ANOVA; n.s. – non significant; *,**,*** – significant at P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively; different letters for the same element indicate
significant differences according to Tukey’s (HSD) multiple-range test (P = 0.05). Legend: (CTRL): control; (EM): Effective microorganisms;
(TRICHO): Trichoderma spp.; (MICO): Arbuscular mychorryzae; (ASCO): Ascophyllum nodosum

Table 3 Chemical properties of Aloe vera gel

Soluble
Sugars Fibre
Groups Gel pH Solids
(mg/L) (%)
(%)
CTRL 4,2 0,73 b 1347,56 d 0,073 c
EM 3,9 0,83 a 1404,89 a 0,080 a
TRICHO 4,1 0,72 b 1395,54 b 0,076 bc
MICO 3,9 0,72 b 1394,43 bc 0,074 bc
ASCO 4,2 0,74 b 1389,02 c 0,077 ab
ANOVA - *** *** **
One-way ANOVA; n.s. – non significant; *,**,*** – significant at P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively; different letters for the same element indicate
significant differences according to Tukey’s (HSD) multiple-range test (P = 0.05). Legend: (CTRL): control; (EM): Effective microorganisms;
(TRICHO): Trichoderma spp.; (MICO): Arbuscular mychorryzae; (ASCO): Ascophyllum nodosum.

Table 4 Influence of biofertilizers on sugars, proline and aloin on plants of Aloe vera

Fructose Glucose Proline Aloin

Groups
(mg (g DW)-1 (mg (g DW)-1 (mg (g DW)-1 (mg (g DW)-1
CTRL 77,69 d 30,70 d 0,57 d 149,19 c
EM 89,81 a 36,88 a 0,82 a 161,00 a
TRICHO 71,11 e 30,47 d 0,62 c 148,71 c
MICO 85,51 b 32,73 c 0,74 b 157,33 b
ASCO 80,54 c 33,23 b 0,64 c 157,37 b
ANOVA *** *** *** ***
One-way ANOVA; n.s. – non significant; *,**,*** – significant at P ≤ 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively; different letters for the same element indicate
significant differences according to Tukey’s (HSD) multiple-range test (P = 0.05).Legend: (CTRL): control; (EM): Effective microorganisms;
(TRICHO): Trichoderma spp.; (MICO): Arbuscular mychorryzae; (ASCO): Ascophyllum nodosum

There was evidence of lower gel pH in the treated theses compared to the control, particularly in (EM) and (MICO)
(Table 3). There were also significant differences in soluble solids with a higher value in (EM) with 0.73%, compared to
(ASCO) with 0.74% and (CTRL) with 0.73% finally (TRICHO) and (MICO) with 0.72%. There was a significant increase
in sugar content in Aloe leaves of the thesis (EM), 1404.89 mg/L, compared to (TRICHO) with 1395.54 g, (MICO) with
1394.43 g, (ASCO) with 1389.02 g and 1347.56 of the untreated control. There were no significant differences in leaf

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fiber content although the thesis (EM) shows a higher content. All treatments significantly increased the content of
fructose, glucose, proline and aloin compared to the untreated control (Table 4). In particular, the Effective
microorganisms thesis proved to have the greatest influence on the increase in these parameters. The control thesis
was the worst.

Figure 2 Treatments comparison in the vegetative growth of Aloe vera. Legend: (CTRL): control; (EM): Effective
microorganisms; (TRICHO): Trichoderma spp.; (MICO): Arbuscular mychorryzae; (ASCO): Ascophyllum nodosum

Figure 3 Effective microorganisms effect (EM) on roots growth of Aloe vera

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Figure 4 Effective microorganisms effect on roots section growth of Aloe vera

Figure 5 Treatments comparison on leaf length (A), width (B) and thickness (C) and gel production (D) of Aloe vera.
Legend: (CTRL): control; (EM): Effective microorganisms; (TRICHO): Trichoderma spp.; (MICO): Arbuscular
mychorryzae; (ASCO): Ascophyllum nodosum

4. Discussion
A number of plants and plant extracts are now being researched to prevent disease, with the aim of reaching a healthy
old age. Various strategies are being adopted to prevent the onset of degenerative diseases and reduce the degree of
suffering they entail, through diet, exercise and supplements [21].

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Aloe vera has been used worldwide for 6000 years for its medicinal value, and has been used in various degenerative
diseases, cancer treatment and AIDS. It is used in the treatment of wounds, inflammation, constipation and stress. It also
has an antiseptic effect due to its bactericidal, virucidal and antifungal activity. Its nutraceutical properties have earned
it much popularity worldwide, particularly for the many phytochemicals that have the power to improve human health.
This succulent plant is also used to reduce indoor air pollution in homes, due to its ability to remove benzene,
formaldehyde and the like [22].

Aloe vera is cultivated in the tropics and warmer regions of the world, including the southern United States, Mexico,
Arabia and the west Indies, although today its cultivation is spreading to Europe and Italy because of its many properties
[23]. It is propagated by means of suckers that develop at the base of the plant, tolerates fairly high pH values and grows
fastest on fertile, water-rich soil. Flowering of the plants starts in mid-April and ends in mid-May with a peak observed
in the last week of April. The fruiting season is observed between July and the end of August. It can be grown in full sun
or light shade [24]. The seeds are delicate and should therefore be handled with care. There are many chemical
constituents derived from Aloe vera such as: acidic galactan, arabinans, glucogalactomannan, glucomannan,
polyuronide, cellulose, 7-hydroxyaloin, aloeemodin, aloesaponarin I-II, aloin A and B (barbaloin), anthranol, beta
barbaloin, chrysophanol, chrysophanol glucoside, isobarbaloin, capric acid, hexadecadienoic acid, palmitleic acid,
stearic acid, β-carotene, choline, folic acid,vitamin K, vitamin D, vitamin E, arginine, glutamic acid, magnesium, calcium,
zinc, copper, amylase, catalase, echitamine, picrinine [3].

In this trial, the aim was to develop a biological protocol for the production of Aloe gel for medicinal use. In particular,
it is shown that plants treated with Effective microorganisms and biofertilizers based on mycorrhizae, Trichoderma spp.
and algae showed a significant improvement in the agronomic and qualitative parameters of Aloe vera plants and on the
chemical and physical characteristics of the gel. In particular, a significant increase in sugars, fibers and a slowing down
of the gel denaturation process was found. The improvement in the quality and growth of Aloe plants is particularly
noticeable in those substrates where microorganisms were inoculated, which, with their mineral solubilization and pH
lowering activity, allow a greater uptake of water and nutrients by the roots. Aspects also observed in previous trials on
other plant and ornamental species and in Aloe vera.

These aspects are probably related to the microbial influence on the stimulation of root growth, the efficiency of nutrient
assimilation by the plant and the increased solubility of mineral elements in the medium. It is also known that
microorganisms can improve plant resistance to abiotic stresses, particularly water and nutrient stress [25]. In this
experiment, soil microbial activity not only influenced the vegetative and root development of plants, but also the sugar
and fiber content of leaves and the weight and purity of the gel. All these aspects can be related to the increase in the
number of beneficial microorganisms in the treated theses, which by living close to the roots or within specialised cells
are able to stimulate plant growth through various mechanisms. The best known mechanisms are: i) biofertilization,
the ability of certain bacteria to make certain nutrients more available; ii) biocontrol, the activity of suppressing certain
diseases through the use of certain bacteria; iii) induction of resistance, the ability of certain bacteria to stimulate plant
defences; iv) production of phytohormones and signal molecules [26]. The rhizosphere is a complex habitat, where the
plant through the exudates of its roots can promote microbial growth and metabolism. Soil microbial activity can also
alleviate the negative effects of stress on plant growth and can stimulate the production of plant hormones and
siderophores in plants, which can regulate plant metabolism and soil nutrient availability, particularly iron, copper, zinc
and manganese [27]. In recent years, there has been a trend towards greater efficiency in the use of synthetic fertilizers
and a return to the use of algal products to improve plant quality and nutrient utilization capacity. Since the 1950s, the
use of algae has been superseded by the use of commercial extracts that provide useful molecules for plants. The
effectiveness of algae as biofertilizers depends on the composition and concentration of compounds that can improve
plant metabolism under stressful conditions [28]. Among the hormones most commonly found in algae extracts are
cytokinins, auxins, gibberellins and abscisic acid, as well as other hormone-like substances [29]. In this trial, plants
treated with Ascophyllum nodosum showed an increase in growth parameters and an improvement in the characteristics
of the Aloe gel, confirming as in other trials that the use of biofertilizing algae can significantly influence and speed up
the growth rate and quality of plants.

5. Conclusion
The application of biofertilizing microorganisms and algae to the Aloe vera growing medium has shown that the use of
these products can significantly increase the vegetative and root growth of the plants and improve the quality of the leaf
gel. It is also pointed out that the increase of microorganisms in the pot cultivation substrate, in particular the
application of Effective microorganisms can influence the content of fibres, soluble solids, sugars and the reduction of
the degradation process of the Aloe gel. The trial confirms the significant results already obtained in other trials on
vegetable, ornamental and Aloe plants by applying biofertilizing microorganisms and algae. The aim of this work was

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to develop an organic cultivation protocol based on microbial and algae treatments that can be used to improve the
quality of Aloe vera plants. This protocol can be applied in general by those companies that are dedicated to the
production of ornamental and fruit cacti and succulents and want to reduce or even eliminate the use of plant protection
products.

Compliance with ethical standards

Acknowledgments
The research is part of the project "BIOALOV: Biostimulants and microrganisms for the qualitative improvement of aloe
vera production and biological control". Thanks to Welcare Research srl for their collaboration, in particular to Dr. Fulvia
Lazzarotto (CEO Welcare Research) for her availability and participation in the research.

Disclosure of conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Statement of ethical approval

The present research work does not contain any studies performed on animals/humans subjects.

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