SPDS EXPERT REVIEW PANEL

D. Based on the supporting information, is the method written clearly and concisely? If no, please specify the needed revisions. E. Based on the supporting information, what are the pros/strengths of the method?

YES, but the format of manuscript is not acceptable to AOAC.

The manuscript determines the analytical range of aloe products with different dosage form, low/high concentration liquid, solid powder, and purified polysaccharides. Precision and reproducibility of the analytical results were achieved within the required RSD. The recovery by spiking purified aloe polysaccharides was within the required RSD range. In addition, the method is simple in operating and results can be obtained rapidly. It is also low expanse in chemical reagents, instrument investment and maintenance. overestimate the aloe polysaccharide contents because the resulting content of the acetate comprises all the acetyl groups in the product including the acetyl groups from degradation of acetylated glucomannan and also the presence of other acetyl group bearing components which might be in aloe products. The results of adulterant analysis are not clear, were the adulterants gone through the two step chemical reactions or measured directly without reactions? In the step of pH optimization, the amount of adding HCl needs to be indicated in order to determine if the concentration of analytes could be diluted due to extra amount of HCl. In addition, the manuscript lacks detail actual validation data to support the obtained results. The actual purity of the purified polysaccharides used for recovery study has not been verified. Sample preparation, chemical reaction conditions, stability of polysaccharides, etc. have not been validated either. No polysaccharide standards or reference control samples were used. The manuscript had demonstrated the applicability on the aloe product alone, but not on the aloe product mixed with other ingredients. This is a colorimetric method for the determination of the contents of acetylated polysaccharides in Aloe vera through the analysis of acetyl group contents of aloe. If appropriate identification for aloe vera can be established, this method can provide a complementary tool to the commonly used proton-NMR method for determining aloe polysaccharide contents. However, the manuscript does not have sufficient validation data and has not demonstrated to be compliance with SMPR for further action. The method lacks specificity as the testing results cannot provide any information for Aloe vera identification. The nonspecific method can

F. Based on the supporting information, what are the cons/weaknesses of the method?

G. Any general comments about the method?

Recommendation for the Method

Do you recommend this method be adopted as a First Action and published in the Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL? Please specify rationale.

Suggest not moving forward for First Action Official Methods due to no completed validation data available. More supporting data is necessary before it can be reconsidered for First Action.