In agriculture, a solar protector is a type of material or substance used to protect crops from the harmful effects of solar radiation.
Solar protectors work by reducing the amount of solar radiation that reaches the crops, which can help to prevent damage from excessive heat and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Solar protectors can take several forms, including shade cloth, reflective mulches, and spray-on coatings. Shade cloth is a type of mesh or fabric material that is placed over crops to reduce the amount of sunlight they receive.
Reflective mulches are made from materials that reflect sunlight, such as aluminum foil, and are placed around the crops to bounce sunlight away from the plants. Spray-on coatings are applied directly to the plants and form a protective layer that reflects sunlight and reduces the amount of UV radiation that reaches the leaves.
Solar protectors can provide several benefits to crops, such as reducing heat stress, preventing sunburn, and improving plant growth and development. They can be particularly useful in areas with high levels of solar radiation, such as arid or tropical regions, where crops may be more susceptible to damage from the sun.
In addition to providing benefits to crops, solar protectors can also help to promote sustainable agriculture practices by reducing the need for synthetic inputs, such as pesticides and fertilizers.
By reducing the impact of solar radiation on crops, solar protectors can help to improve crop yield and quality while minimizing the environmental impact of agriculture.
For more information on our solar protector please visit our specific page on Pre Harvest Solutions
What is a soil and foliar improver in agriculture?
A soil and foliar improver is a substance used in agriculture to improve soil fertility and plant growth.
Soil and foliar improvers work by enhancing the nutrient content of soil and increasing the availability of nutrients to plants. They can be used to improve plant health, increase crop yield, and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
Soil improvers can be inorganic or organic materials, such as compost, manure, peat, or vermiculite, as well as plant based extracts. They are typically added to the soil to improve its physical properties, such as its structure, water-holding capacity, and nutrient content. Soil improvers can also help to increase the microbial activity in the soil, which can enhance plant nutrient uptake and improve soil health.
Foliar improvers are substances applied to plant leaves to improve plant growth and health. They can be inorganic or organic materials, such as seaweed extracts, humic acids, amino acids or plant based. Foliar improvers are typically applied as sprays or solutions to the leaves of plants, where they can be absorbed and used by the plant to improve its growth and development.
Soil and foliar improvers are commonly used in organic farming and sustainable agriculture systems as a way to improve soil fertility and plant growth without relying on synthetic inputs.
They have been shown to be effective in improving crop yield and quality, as well as promoting soil health and biodiversity. However, the effectiveness of soil and foliar improvers can depend on several factors, such as the type of soil and crop, the timing and frequency of application, and the environmental conditions.
For more information on our soil and foliar please visit our specific page on Pre Harvest Solutions
A bio fungicide is a type of fungicide made from natural substances or microorganisms that help to control plant diseases caused by fungi.
Bio fungicides work by either directly killing the fungal pathogens or by enhancing the plant’s natural defense mechanisms against them. Bio fungicides are often preferred over synthetic fungicides because they are less harmful to the environment and do not leave harmful residues on crops.
There are several types of bio fungicides available, including those made from bacteria, fungi, and plant extracts. For example, some bio fungicides contain bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis or Pseudomonas fluorescens that produce antifungal compounds to control fungal diseases.
Other bio fungicides contain fungi such as Trichoderma that can outcompete or parasitize plant pathogenic fungi. Some bio fungicides also contain plant extracts such as Aloe Vera extracts, neem oil or garlic that have antifungal properties. In our case, there is a large amount of literature -essays, research papers, analysis, studies, etc- demonstrating the Aloe Vera antifungal properties.
Bio fungicides are commonly used in organic farming, sustainable agriculture and regenerative agriculture systems as a way to control plant diseases while minimizing the use of synthetic fungicides.
Bio fungicides have been shown to be effective in controlling a wide range of fungal diseases, including powdery mildew, downy mildew, gray mold, and root rot.
However, like other types of fungicides, the effectiveness of bio fungicides can depend on several factors, such as the timing and frequency of application, the type of crop, and the severity of the disease.
Bio fungicides have a number of advantages over conventional chemical fungicides. They are often less toxic to humans and other animals, and they are less likely to contaminate the environment. Bio fungicides can also be used to control diseases that are resistant to chemical fungicides.
However, bio fungicides also have some disadvantages. They can be more expensive than chemical fungicides, and they may not be as effective in controlling some diseases. Bio fungicides may also need to be applied more frequently than chemical fungicides.
Despite their disadvantages, bio fungicides are an important tool for controlling fungal plant diseases. They are a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical fungicides.
Here are some of the benefits of using bio fungicides:
They are less toxic to humans and other animals.
They are less likely to contaminate the environment.
They can be used to control diseases that are resistant to chemical fungicides.
They can help to improve crop yields and quality.
Here are some of the challenges of using bio fungicides:
They can be more expensive than chemical fungicides.
They may not be as effective in controlling some diseases.
They may need to be applied more frequently than chemical fungicides.
Overall, biofungicides are a promising new tool for controlling fungal plant diseases. They offer a number of advantages over conventional chemical fungicides, and they are becoming increasingly popular among farmers and growers.
For more information on our bio fungicides please visit our specific page on Pre Harvest Solutions
Biostimulants are substances and microorganisms used in agriculture to improve plant growth, health, and productivity.
Biostimulants work by enhancing plant nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and root growth, among other benefits.
Biostimulants differ from fertilizers in that they do not directly provide nutrients to plants but rather stimulate natural processes within the plant to promote growth and health.
There is no universally accepted definition of biostimulants, but they are generally considered to include a wide range of substances, such as humic and fulvic acids, amino acids, seaweed extracts, microbial inoculants, and plant growth-promoting substances.
Biostimulants can be applied to plants through soil drenching, foliar spraying, seed coating, or fertigation. Several of our pre harvest solutions are offered as biostimulants.
The use of biostimulants has been growing in popularity in recent years as a way to improve plant growth and productivity while reducing the need for synthetic inputs. Biostimulants have been shown to improve crop yield, quality, and stress tolerance in a variety of crops, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, and ornamentals.
For more information please visit our specific page on Pre Harvest Solutions
A seed coating is a process in agriculture where seeds are treated with a protective layer or coating before planting.
Seed coating can provide several benefits to seeds, such as improving their germination, enhancing their resistance to pests and diseases, and increasing their nutrient uptake.
Seed coatings can be made from a variety of materials, including polymers, fungicides, insecticides, micronutrients, and beneficial microbes.
The coating can be applied to the seed surface through several methods, such as dipping, spraying, or pelleting. The coating adheres to the seed surface and forms a protective layer that can help to improve seed performance and increase plant health.
Seed coatings can provide several benefits to both farmers and plants. For farmers, seed coatings can help to increase crop yield and quality, reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and improve planting efficiency. For plants, seed coatings can help to protect against pests and diseases, promote early root development, and increase nutrient uptake.
In addition to these benefits, seed coatings can also help to improve the environmental sustainability of agriculture. By reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers, seed coatings can help to minimize their impact on the environment and reduce the risk of soil and water contamination.
Overall, seed coating is an important process in modern agriculture that can help to improve seed performance and increase plant health, while also promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
For more information on our seed coating please visit our specific page on Pre Harvest Solutions
Aloe yellow sap (latex) contains aloin and other anthraquinones, which are used in pharmaceuticals, research, and some industrial applications. Below is a detailed breakdown of how aloe latex is extracted and processed into a concentrated paste.
1. Extraction of Aloe Latex
A. Harvesting and Preparation
Mature Aloe Leaves are selected (typically 3-5 years old for higher latex content).
The leaves are washed to remove dirt and debris. When the job is directly done at the aloe plantations, the cut aloe plants are placed in a gutter-type mold and there they begin to exude their sap.
When this job is done at the factory, the green rind is carefully sliced open to expose the inner leaf structure.
B. Collection of Yellow Sap (Latex)
The yellowish-brown latex oozes out from the pericyclic tubules (located just beneath the rind).
Methods to collect latex:
Manual Scraping: The sap is scraped off with a knife or blade.
Drip Collection: Leaves are hung vertically to let the latex drain into containers.
Pressing: Some industrial methods use mechanical pressing to extract more latex.
2. Processing into Concentrated Paste
A. Filtration & Purification
The raw latex is filtered to remove plant debris and impurities.
Activated charcoal or clay filtration may be used to remove excess pigments.
B. Concentration (Evaporation & Drying)
Low-Heat Evaporation
The liquid latex is gently heated (≤60°C / 140°F) to evaporate water, increasing concentration.
This prevents degradation of active compounds like aloin.
Spray Drying (Industrial Method)
The latex is spray-dried into a fine powder, which can later be reconstituted into paste.
Freeze Drying (For High-Purity Extracts)
Used in pharmaceutical-grade processing to preserve potency.
C. Final Paste Formation
The concentrated liquid is further thickened into a paste using:
Natural evaporation (sun drying in controlled conditions).
Addition of stabilizers (e.g., glycerin) for commercial products.
3. Industrial Refinement (Optional)
Decolorization: If a lighter-colored paste is needed, additional filtration with activated carbon is used.
Standardization: The aloin content is measured and adjusted for consistency (important for pharmaceutical use).
4. Uses of Concentrated Aloe Latex Paste
Industry
Application
Notes
Pharmaceutical
Laxative formulations (regulated)
Requires strict purity controls
Cosmetic
Exfoliating agents, antifungal treatments
Used in minimal amounts
Agriculture
Natural pesticide, livestock digestion aid
Must be diluted properly
Bitter Beverages
As a bitter agent
Paste or concentrate used
Main uses
CONCENTRATED ALOE SAP
5. Safety & Regulatory Considerations
Within FDA Regulations, aloin is banned in oral supplements in the U.S. (2018 FDA ruling), but allowed in topical cosmetics but restricted in concentration. Usually the limit is 10 PPM.
In the particular case of the European Union, the EU has established a maximum level of 1 ppm (part per million) for certain hydroxyanthracene derivatives (HADs), including aloe-emodin, emodin, and the sum of aloin A and aloin B, in aloe vera preparations used in food and food supplements. This regulation, specifically Regulation (EU) 2021/468, aimed to ensure food safety by limiting the presence of these potentially harmful substances.
These HADs are naturally occurring compounds found in aloe vera, particularly in the outer layers of the leaf. This Regulation (EU) 2021/468, which came into effect on April 8, 2021, prohibited the use of aloe preparations containing HADs in food and food supplements. The regulation mentioned that some HADs, like aloe-emodin and aloin, have been associated with potential health risks, including laxative effects and potential carcinogenic properties.
For the purpose of implementing the prohibition, the EU considered aloe preparations to “contain” HADs when the total aloin (A + B) present is > 1 ppm. This is also the lowest level that can be reliably quantified in laboratories.
However, the Regulation (EU) 2021/468, which restricted certain plant-based food and food supplements containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives (HADs), has been partially annulled by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
The ECJ’s decision, specifically in case T-274/21, invalidated key sections of the regulation, impacting restrictions on aloe-emodin, emodin, and preparations from Aloe species leaves containing HADs.
The ECJ found that the European Commission’s interpretation of Article 8 of Regulation No 1925/2006, which was the basis for the restrictions, was inappropriate when applied to herbal “preparations”.
In essence, while the regulation (EU) 2021/468 set a 1 ppm limit for aloin in aloe preparations, that regulation has been annulled by the European Court of Justice, and those restrictions are no longer in place.
Conclusion
Aloe latex is extracted by collecting the yellow sap from the leaf’s outer layers, then processed into a concentrated paste through filtration, evaporation, and drying.
