Aloe Vera - Feed Ingredient

Aloe vera is a succulent plant species known for its thick, fleshy leaves containing a mucilaginous gel. The inner leaf gel is composed primarily of water, along with polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, and various bioactive compounds. In feed and supplement products, aloe vera is typically used in a dehydrated powder, juice, or extract form. To ensure safety, the gel is often purified to remove anthraquinones such as aloin, which are naturally present in the outer leaf latex and may have laxative or irritating effects.

In equine nutrition, aloe vera is included in specialty supplements or herbal blends, primarily for its potential soothing and supportive properties for the gastrointestinal tract. Its inclusion is generally non-nutritive, serving instead as a functional botanical component. Products intended for animal use typically use decolorized or purified aloe to avoid adverse effects associated with unprocessed extracts.