Can anybody please give me a method on how to extract a mangosteen pericarp?

Question

please help me...i just really need this for a school requirement...

thanks...

Answer 1

There are many SE Asian companies selling the pericarp in a powder format, from spray-dried, air dried or sun dried pericarp so presumably these are the main method of preparation for the powder (e.g. this company: http://www.export-forum.com/asia/thailan...

)

However, freeze drying is usually the best method for preservation of nutrients including antioxidants. However, this method is probably expensive to employ relative to the other methods of choice for powder production.

If one was preparing mangosteen for an antioxidant supplement then the whole fruit is likely to be used, and different methods would be used for capsules over the mangosteen whole fruit (including pericarp) for production of the juice (its usually blended with other antioxidant rich fruits). This patent page may give you an idea on pharmaceutical preparation but its heavy on the science so you may find this difficult to follow. Freeze drying appears to be the method of choice for preparation of capsules, such as on this link:

http://www.bestofsupplements.com/mangopi...

The main active antioxidants in the mangosteen are the xanthones and these are mainly found in the pericarp (i.e outer rind) but as with most rinds, it is bitter. Hence why capsule preparation containing more pericarp might be the best way to take  mangosteen extract. Those preparing the Mangosteen juice, such as the one under the trade name Xango, have patents on their method of preparation so give little away online. Yes it is often mixed with other antioxidant rich juices and this may be because of the bitterness of the pericarp in with the whole-mangosteen preparation. A cold-process is likely to be the method employed for preparation of the antioxidants:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Mangosteen-Juice...

This would involve a cylindrical pressing I would have thought, similar to production of olive oil. Perhaps it is ground first and then pressed. Heating is unlikely to be used by top brands who want to maintain a high ORAC (antioxidant value) in their product. See the last link above for more information on the ORAC value.

Hope this is of some help. Good luck with the assignment.