Aloe-Emodin

Aloe-Emodin

Main Active Ingredients:
Aloe-Emodin — CAS: 481-72-1 | Assay: 50% / 95% / 98% Aloe-Emodin (HPLC) | Aloe barbadensis Miller Leaf
Application: research & analytical reference standards | TCM raw material | industrial & dye applications | topical/cosmetic research
MOQ: 1KG
Certifications: ISO, HACCP, GMP, Kosher, Halal, FDA Compliant

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Bulk Aloe-Emodin Supplier — 50% / 95% / 98% HPLC, Curaçao Aloe Leaf Extract, B2B Wholesale

Written by Jonathan, Valeherb · Reviewed by Dr. Xiaoyan Qiu · Updated July 2026

Valeherb supplies aloe-emodin bulk wholesale at 50%, 95%, and 98% purity by HPLC, extracted from Curaçao aloe leaf — Aloe barbadensis Miller, botanically synonymous with Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. The species carries the trade name “Curaçao aloe” from its 19th-century commercial cultivation history on the Dutch Caribbean islands of Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire, after earlier cultivation in Barbados — it remains the standard commercial source species for anthraquinone extraction today. Aloe-emodin (1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-anthraquinone, CAS 481-72-1) is concentrated in the leaf exudate, distinct from the clear inner gel used in most cosmetic aloe products, and is one of the most extensively studied anthraquinones in published pharmacological research.

On this page: available grades, active compound profile, research background, formulation applications, sourcing criteria, and regulatory guidance.

Available Grades

Grade Aloe-Emodin Content Typical Application
Standard 50% (HPLC) Research applications; industrial and TCM raw material use where cost efficiency matters
High-Purity 95% (HPLC) Precision research applications; reference standard use; specialised industrial formulations
Ultra-Purity 98% (HPLC) Analytical reference material; research requiring maximal compound purity and minimal co-anthraquinone interference

Custom standardization levels available on request. MOQ, lead time, and current pricing available on inquiry.

Active Compound Profile

Compound Class Notes
Aloe-Emodin Anthraquinone — primary marker 1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-anthraquinone; CAS 481-72-1; concentrated in leaf exudate; antibacterial and photosensitising properties studied in published research[1]
Emodin Anthraquinone — related compound Structurally distinct from aloe-emodin (different substitution pattern); co-occurs at lower levels; also present in rhubarb, cascara, senna, and Polygonum multiflorum
Aloin (Barbaloin) Anthrone C-glycoside Precursor compound; hydrolyses to aloe-emodin anthrone under gut bacterial or processing conditions
SOURCING NOTE
Aloe-emodin and emodin are frequently confused because both occur in Aloe species and are structurally related anthraquinones — but they are chemically distinct compounds with separate CAS numbers. A COA reporting only total anthraquinone content by colorimetric assay does not confirm aloe-emodin content specifically. For applications requiring aloe-emodin specifically, request individual HPLC quantification distinguishing it from emodin and other co-occurring anthraquinones.

Research Background

Provided as scientific context for research and industrial buyers, not as claims for any Valeherb product.

Antibacterial Mechanism Research

Li et al. (2021, Frontiers in Microbiology) investigated aloe-emodin’s antibacterial activity and membrane-targeting mechanism against Staphylococcus epidermidis, a clinically relevant biofilm-forming organism. The study documented aloe-emodin’s disruption of bacterial membrane integrity as a proposed antimicrobial mechanism, building on prior published research describing aloe-emodin’s inhibition of S. aureus biofilm formation and interference with bacterial toxin oligomerization.[1] These are in vitro antimicrobial mechanism findings described here as research context, relevant to industrial and research applications.

Photodynamic and Antimicrobial Photosensitiser Research

Published research has investigated aloe-emodin’s photosensitising properties, documenting phototoxic activity against dermatophyte fungi under controlled photodynamic therapy conditions in preclinical models. Aloe-emodin’s antimicrobial spectrum in published research includes activity against gram-positive bacteria and specific fungal pathogens, distinct from and in addition to its anthraquinone-class chemical properties.[4]

Formulation Applications

  • Research and analytical reference standards: 95% or 98% grade for use as a reference compound in HPLC method development, structure-activity research, and academic/industrial research applications
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine raw material: Aloe-emodin-containing material is used as a component of TCM formulations; ChP documentation available for China domestic market and TCM-positioned export products
  • Industrial and dye applications: Anthraquinone compounds including aloe-emodin have documented use as natural dye and industrial chemical intermediates
  • Topical/cosmetic research: Aloe-emodin’s antimicrobial and photosensitising properties are under active research investigation for topical applications; formulators should confirm current regulatory status for their specific target market before finalizing product concentration and claims

Sourcing Criteria

Criterion What to Require
Compound Identity Aloe-emodin (CAS 481-72-1) individually quantified by HPLC — distinguish from emodin (CAS 518-82-1) and total anthraquinone colorimetric figures
Species Confirmation Aloe barbadensis Miller (Curaçao/Barbados aloe) confirmed on COA — the standard commercial source species for this compound
Third-Party COA Aloe-emodin purity (HPLC), heavy metals, pesticide residues, microbial limits, moisture — per production batch from accredited laboratory
Certifications Non-GMO, FDA-registered facility, ChP documentation for China domestic market — available on request
CAUTION
Aloe-emodin belongs to a class of hydroxyanthracene derivatives with documented genotoxicity findings in published in vitro mammalian cell studies.[2] Key considerations for finished-product formulators: not recommended for oral dietary supplement, laxative, or general digestive-health consumer applications — Valeherb does not position this ingredient for those uses. Not recommended during pregnancy — insufficient controlled clinical data warrant precautionary avoidance. For topical/cosmetic formulation, independent safety assessment is required given the regulatory status summarised below. Buyers developing any consumer-facing product are responsible for independent regulatory review specific to their target market.

Regulatory Guidance

  • US (FDA): In 2002, FDA ruled that aloe (including whole leaf and flower extract) is not generally recognized as safe and effective for use in OTC stimulant laxative drug products, citing inadequate carcinogenicity and genotoxicity data. Non-decolorized whole-leaf Aloe vera extract has been classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B)
  • EU: In 2021, EU Commission Regulation 2021/468 added Aloe leaf preparations containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives (including aloe-emodin) to Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006, based on an EFSA assessment identifying genotoxicity and carcinogenicity concerns. On 13 November 2024, the EU General Court annulled this regulation on procedural grounds (the Commission had banned “preparations” rather than individually defined substances) — this is a procedural annulment, not a reversal of the underlying EFSA scientific findings. Buyers targeting EU markets should confirm current status with regulatory counsel, as this area remains active[3]
  • China (ChP): Aloe-emodin-containing material has established use as a TCM raw material component under the Chinese Pharmacopoeia framework; ChP compliance documentation available for domestic China market and TCM-positioned export
  • General: Given the documented genotoxicity data, Valeherb recommends independent regulatory and legal review before incorporating aloe-emodin into any consumer-facing formulation in any market

References

[1] Li Y, Lu J, Zhang R, Wang Z, Beier RC, Jin M, Wang J, Li B, Hou X. (2021). Antibacterial activity and membrane-targeting mechanism of aloe-emodin against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2021;12:734414. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.734414

[2] Müller SO, Eckert I, Lutz WK, Stopper H. (1996). Genotoxicity of the laxative drug components emodin, aloe-emodin and danthron in mammalian cells: topoisomerase II mediated? Mutation Research. 1996;371(3-4):165-173. doi: 10.1016/s0165-1218(96)90105-6

[3] Aloe Vera of Europe BV v European Commission, Case T-189/21, Judgment of the General Court of the European Union (13 November 2024). EUR-Lex Case T-189/21

[4] Wang T, et al. (2022). Aloe-emodin-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy. PMC8867962

Reviewed byDr. Xiaoyan QiuBotanical Extract R&D Engineer · Associate Professor, Huaihua University. Research focus: medicinal plant resources, botanical extraction processes, and microbial fermentation technology.
Written byJonathanContent Editor, Valeherb. Specializing in botanical ingredient science communication for B2B nutraceutical and functional food markets.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All statements reference published peer-reviewed research and official regulatory sources. This product is supplied for research, industrial, and traditional herbal medicine raw material use, subject to applicable regulatory approval in the buyer’s jurisdiction. © 2026 Valeherb. All rights reserved.

FAQ

A1:Aloe-emodin (1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-anthraquinone, CAS 481-72-1) and emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone, CAS 518-82-1) are structurally related but chemically distinct anthraquinone compounds. Both occur in Aloe species, but they have different substitution patterns and separate CAS numbers. Aloe-emodin is concentrated in Aloe barbadensis (Curaçao aloe) leaf exudate, while emodin is also found in rhubarb, cascara, senna, and Polygonum multiflorum. A COA reporting total anthraquinone content does not confirm which compound — or how much of each — is actually present; request individual HPLC quantification if aloe-emodin specifically is required.
A2:Aloe barbadensis Miller is believed to originate from the Arabian Peninsula, but the trade name reflects its commercial cultivation history rather than its botanical origin. The species was introduced to Barbados around 1630 for export production, giving rise to “Barbados aloe.” As that industry declined through the 19th century, commercial cultivation shifted to the Dutch Caribbean islands of Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire — hence “Curaçao aloe,” used interchangeably with Barbados aloe in trade literature for the same species. Today, commercial cultivation is concentrated in Mexico, the US, and China rather than the Caribbean.
A3:The percentage reflects HPLC-verified aloe-emodin content per gram. The 50% grade suits research and industrial applications, and TCM raw material use, where cost efficiency matters. The 95% grade suits precision research applications and specialised industrial formulations. The 98% grade is used as an analytical reference standard and for research requiring maximal compound purity with minimal co-anthraquinone interference.
A4:Valeherb does not position aloe-emodin for oral dietary supplement, laxative, or general digestive-health consumer applications. Aloe-emodin belongs to a class of hydroxyanthracene derivatives with documented genotoxicity findings in published in vitro studies, and its regulatory status for oral/consumer use varies significantly by jurisdiction and remains an active area of regulatory attention, particularly in the EU. Buyers developing any consumer-facing product — oral or topical — are responsible for independent regulatory review specific to their target market. See the Regulatory Guidance section for current status details.

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