Abstract

Aloe vera gel is a highly medicinal gel which is in high demand in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. Mathematical models were developed to simulate the rheological and dynamic properties of aloe vera gel in relation to the addition of sodium chloride (NaCl – common salt) at various concentrations. The result from the investigation shows the effect of sodium chloride concentration on the density, viscosity, shear rate, shear stress and flow concentration of the aloe vera gel; hence, giving the manufacturers of aloe vera products an insight and awareness of aloe vera gel rheology and dynamic properties. The mucilaginous fluid samples were obtained from aloe vera bardadensis miller leaves, washed and wiped dry and mechanical analysis were conducted on the samples for the purpose of separation of aloe juice and aloe gel from the sample. Increase in the concentration of sodium chloride result to a change in the concentration of aloe vera gel mixture (viscosity and density). The result obtained from the analysis revealed the sudden change in aloe versa gel concentration alongside with rheological and dynamic characteristics of the aloe vera gel mixture were attributed to increase in salt added. The developed models obtained from the investigation were found useful in monitoring and predicting the quality of aloe vera products.

Key words: Modeling, sodium chloride concentration, rheology, dynamic property, aloe vera products.