How 1.5 Million Aloe Vera Leaves Are Harvested A Week | Big Business

Summary

The video script describes the meticulous process of harvesting and processing aloe vera plants. Workers carefully cut, wash, and disinfect each stalk to extract the pure aloe vera gel. Despite the challenges of working with varying sizes of aloe, the process is highly manual, with skilled workers competing to be the fastest at filleting. The juice produced is 99.9% pure aloe vera, with a small amount of ascorbic acid added. Rigorous daily testing ensures the quality of the product, focusing on factors like pH, viscosity, and texture, ensuring that each batch meets the highest standards.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aloe vera stalks are processed manually, with each employee handling around 3,000 to 3,500 stalks daily.
• 😀 Workers carefully cut and remove the stalk tips and thorns to avoid damaging the plant during processing.
• 😀 Daily, 260,000 pounds of fresh aloe vera stalks arrive at the farm, which are turned into 20,000 gallons of fresh juice.
• 😀 The aloe vera leaves are washed and disinfected to ensure a clean extraction of the fillet.
• 😀 The filleting process requires precision, and workers often compete to be the fastest and most efficient.
• 😀 80% of the entire aloe vera processing is manual, leading to minimal waste and more control over quality.
• 😀 The aloe vera leaves are irregular in shape, making manual processing necessary for optimal results.
• 😀 The product is purified to 99.9% pure aloe vera, with only 0.1% consisting of ascorbic acid for preservation.
• 😀 The processing area is designed to avoid environmental contamination, with the filling and sealing of containers done automatically.
• 😀 Daily, 20 to 25 samples are taken for physical and chemical analysis to ensure the quality of the aloe vera juice.
• 😀 The physical chemist conducts tests for pH, viscosity, color, and texture to maintain consistent product standards.

Q & A

What is the daily process that takes place at the aloe vera farm?

The daily process at the farm involves handling around 260,000 pounds of fresh aloe vera stalks, which are converted into 20,000 gallons of fresh juice. The stalks are first washed and disinfected before being processed to extract the fillet.

Why do workers remove the stalk tip and thorns from the aloe vera plant?

The stalk tip and thorns are removed to ensure that the plant is handled carefully and to avoid mistreating it. Removing these parts makes the plant more manageable and prepares it for the next steps of the process.

How does the worker describe the experience of handling the aloe vera stalks?

The worker refers to handling the aloe vera stalks as a challenging but familiar task, often describing it as difficult due to the strength required. Despite the difficulty, the worker is accustomed to it, as it is part of the daily routine.

What is the significance of 'filleting' in the aloe vera process?

Filleting refers to the process of extracting the aloe vera gel or crystal from the leaf. This process is done manually and is critical to ensure the purity and quality of the aloe vera used in products. The worker emphasizes the importance of doing it carefully to achieve the perfect gel.

What challenges are faced when working with small aloe plants?

Small aloe plants are more challenging to work with because they require more effort to fillet. The worker mentions that it is harder to extract the gel from smaller plants, which can make the process feel more tiring and slow.

How much of the aloe vera processing is done manually, and why?

Around 80% of the processing is done manually. This is to reduce waste, as the aloe vera leaves are irregular in shape and size, making manual processing more effective for preserving the quality of the gel and reducing impurities.

What is the role of ascorbic acid in the final aloe vera product?

Ascorbic acid, which makes up 0.1% of the final product, is added to enhance the preservation and quality of the aloe vera juice. It helps maintain the purity of the product and contributes to its stability.

What quality control measures are in place for the aloe vera product?

Quality control involves taking 20-25 samples daily for analysis. The analysis focuses on various factors like pH, viscosity, color, texture, and appearance to ensure that the product meets the required standards.

How long does it take to complete a physical chemistry analysis of the aloe vera product?

The physical chemistry analysis, which includes checking the pH, viscosity, and other quality factors, takes approximately an hour to complete.

Why is the aloe vera product described as being 99.9% pure?

The aloe vera product is described as being 99.9% pure because the extraction process is designed to eliminate any impurities, leaving a highly concentrated and clean aloe gel. The only additional ingredient is ascorbic acid, making up the remaining 0.1%.