A Two-Stage Method for Purifying Alpha-Mangostin: Sequential Solvent Extraction and Preparative Liquid Chromatography

This research aimed to establish the optimal conditions for the purification of alpha-mangostin from mangosteen pericarp, employing a two-stage process involving solvent extraction and liquid chromatography. Initially, a sequential solvent extraction protocol, utilizing deionized water and hexane, was implemented to effectively remove both polar and nonpolar impurities. Subsequently, alpha-mangostin was extracted using acetonitrile, and the solvent was removed through evaporation and precipitation, yielding a xanthone-rich fraction. This fraction was then subjected to quantitative liquid chromatography, wherein the influence of mobile phase flow rate, mobile phase composition, feed concentration, and column temperature on purification efficiency was systematically evaluated. The optimized purification parameters, namely a mobile phase flow rate of 4 mL/min, a mobile phase composition of 80% acetonitrile and 20% deionized water, a feed concentration of 3 mg/mL, and a column temperature of 35 °C, resulted in alpha-mangostin with a purity of 83.33%.