Characteristic HPLC profiles of fresh and aged aloe solutions, detected at 360 and 220 nm, are presented and
compared. Several aloe constituents (aloesin, aloeresin A, hydroxyaloin, aloin A and B and aloinoside A and B)
were simultaneously separated and identified. The determination of aloin is described (detection limit 0.15 ppm)
and discussed. In aloe-based alcoholic beverages, the aloins could not be detected, owing to their instability and
degradation in solution; this is discussed in relation to the EEC Council Directive 88/388, which fixed the values of
maximum allowable concentrations for aloin in food and beverages. Instead of aloin, other aloe compounds (e.g.,
aloeresin A or aloesin) should perhaps be used as an index" of the presence of aloe in alcoholic beverages.