Abstract:
In this research a multidisciplinary approach was used to unveil the genetic, metabolic uniqueness and relationships
of endemic Mascarene Aloes (Aloe macra, Aloe purpurea, Aloe tormentorii) with respect to Aloe vera. Nuclear
magnetic resonance spectroscopy, DNA sequencing and antioxidant profiles of these Aloes were studied.
Principal component analysis following 1
H NMR revealed the specificity of the Mascarene Aloes relative to Aloe
vera. The superior free radical scavenging ability of A. purpurea, A. macra and A. tormentorii as compared to
other Aloes was also unveiled. Phylogenetic analyses of chloroplast genes and ITS region sequences of these
Mascarene Aloes were done using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis. Mascarene Aloes clustered within
one clade separate from Aloe vera confirming their relative recent emergence in this genus. Results from this
study showed that there is sufficient evidence at the metabolomic and molecular level to distinguish between
Aloe purpurea from Mauritius and that of Reunion
