Micropropagation of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Aloe vera, commonly called a burn plant, is an important xerophytic plant having pharmaceutical and cosmetic properties. this plant is reported to have more than 200 bioactive coumpounds which are used in laxative, anti-obesity preparation, as a moisturizer, emollient, wound healer, in various cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.It enhances the immune system and possesses antibacterial, antiviral, anti fungal and anti-inflammatory potential. Aloe vera in generally propagated asexually through lateral shoots. The number of lateral shoots per donor plant is low and variable over time, limiting the rapid production system for commercial scale. Micropropagation is not a new technology as the application of this innovative system have served to overcome barriers of conventional methods and gave progress in the efficient multiplication of several plant species and their further improvements. This book is written keeping in mind the importance of the plant and need to solve the problem of low productivity associated with conventional propagation methods, by applying in vitro techniques for the mass propagation of the Aloe vera.