Acetylation of aloe polysaccharides

1. A method of making aloe acetylated polysaccharides, the method comprising:

a) providing aloe comprising aloe polysaccharides, wherein the polysaccharides comprise glucomannan, glucogalactomannan, galactomannan, mannan and their acetylated forms; followed by

b) purifying the aloe polysaccharides to 1-90% purity by weight; followed by

c) providing an acetylation agent; followed by

d) providing a catalyst; followed by

e) mixing the acetylation agent and catalyst with the aloe polysaccharides, thereby manufacturing acetylated aloe polysaccharides, wherein the acetylation exceeds that of the aloe polysaccharides in step a); and followed by

f) purifying the acetylated aloe polysaccharides.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aloe polysaccharides are in a powder formulation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the aloe polysaccharides comprise mannose moieties.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the mannose moieties comprise hydroxyl groups, wherein the hydroxyl groups are capable of being acetylated.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the acetylated aloe polysaccharides comprise acetyl groups on the mannose moieties at mannose sites 2, 3 and/or 6.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acetylation agent is acetic anhydride (CH 3 CO) 2 O, acetyl chloride, and acetic acid.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is pyridine, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, or potassium carbonate and solvent.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the purifying step of step b) is performed by ethanol precipitation.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the purifying step of step f) is performed by dialysis.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acetylation agent is acetic anhydride (CH 3 CO) 2 O.