Recovery and partial isolation of ⍺-mangostin from mangosteen pericarpsvia sequential extraction and precipitation

Abstract

This study introduced an innovative sequential extraction methodology designed for the efficient recovery of alpha-mangostin (⍺-M) from mangosteen pericarps. Alpha-mangostin, renowned for its pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial effects, has garnered significant attention across diverse industries. The proposed method of sequential extraction achieved 73% recovery and a yield of 46.75 mg/g based on the weight/weight percentage of the mass of ⍺-M extracted from the sequence and the mass of raw material. Furthermore, the purity of the dried product was 67.9%. The sequence solvent extraction system, comprising water, hexane, and acetonitrile, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the efficacy of the extraction process. Notably, this methodology offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional extraction methods. It reduces the need for complex equipment and processes, positioning it as a resource-efficient extraction technique in comparison to existing methodologies. This novel sequential extraction method presents a promising avenue for the economical and sustainable recovery of alpha-mangostin (⍺-M) from pericarps.

Fig 1. Crosscurrent extraction.

In this experiment, the substrate powder (S) was mixed with solvent (E). The mass fraction of ⍺-M in the powder and in the solution is designated as x and y, respectively. The mangosteen pericarp powder was placed in a glass tube to be extracted. At the bottom of the column, there was a valve (initially closed) that was used to collect liquid from the column by gravity. The amount of powder in the 1^st stage is denoted as S₀. Then 50 mL of solvent (Acetonitrile), E_1,0, was poured into the column, providing the solid and solvent ratio of 1 g: 8.24 mL. The solvent passed through the column retention time for 10 mins at room temperature with the percolation method for each batch extraction. The solvent extract E₁, was removed by pipetting out with a syringe, and filter, and analyzed that extract with HPLC. The solid S₁ was used as feed for the 2^nd extraction and the same amount of solvent E_2,0 was added. The process was repeated for 8 cycles. The mass fraction was calculated using Eq (1).

Fig 2. Sequential extraction method.

Fig 3. Chromatogram of (a) standard of ⍺-M (b) extract solution obtained from 1^st -step percolation using acetonitrile as solvent.

Fig 4. Amounts of ⍺-M obtained from multi-stage percolation.

Fig 5. Solvent distribution factor of acetonitrile, hexane, and water.

Fig 6. Chromatogram of extract solution obtained from different stages of sequential extraction (a) water (b) water-hexane (c) water-hexane-acetonitrile.

Fig 7. Recovery of crude extract via precipitation.