Mangosteen

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Sep 19, 2025

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Plant

The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), also known as the purple mangosteen, is a tropical evergreen tree native to Island Southeast Asia, from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo. It has been cultivated extensively in tropical Asia since ancient times and is celebrated for its edible fruit, considered one of the most prized and delicately flavored in the world.

The fruit is commonly referred to as the “Queen of Fruits”, reflecting its cultural esteem in Southeast Asia and its historical rarity outside its native range. The fruit features a thick, purple rind enclosing segments of sweet, tangy, translucent white flesh, with a texture often compared to lychee but more delicate and creamy.

Knowledge Panel: /m/01vn4d
Wikidata: Q170662
DBPedia: http://dbpedia.org/resource/Mangosteen
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangosteen
Wiki.org.ph: Mangosteen

Botanical Description

Mangosteen is a slow-growing evergreen tree, typically reaching 6–25 m in height with a dense pyramidal crown.

Leaves: Glossy, leathery, 10–25 cm long.
Flowers: Large, reddish-green, with four petals.
Fruit: Globose (4–7 cm), with a hard purple pericarp. The apex bears a persistent calyx with 4–8 lobes. Inside are 4–8 arils (segments) of juicy, white pulp. Smaller arils are often seedless; larger ones surround bitter seeds.

Mangosteen reproduces by apomixis, asexual seed development without fertilization. Male trees are not observed in cultivation; the species is considered an obligate clonal lineage.

Origin and Distribution

Indigenous to the Malay Archipelago, particularly Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the Malay Peninsula, mangosteen has been domesticated for at least 1,000 years.

Today, Thailand is the world’s largest producer and exporter, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Limited cultivation occurs in India, Sri Lanka, Puerto Rico, southern Florida, and Hawaii, but yields are low due to strict climatic requirements.
Optimal conditions: 25–35 °C, high humidity, annual rainfall >1,270 mm, and no frost.

Cultural Significance

Mangosteen plays an important role in Southeast Asian food systems and cultural lore.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, mangosteen is classified as “cooling” (yin) and often consumed with durian (considered “heaty” or yang) to balance energies.
In Vietnam, during the Nguyễn Dynasty, mangosteen (giáng châu, “pearl descended from heaven”) was reserved for royalty.
In Thailand and Malaysia, presenting mangosteen as a gift signifies respect and hospitality.
A popular Western legend claims Queen Victoria offered a reward for fresh mangosteens, though no historical evidence confirms this.

Nutritional Composition

Mangosteen pulp is primarily water and carbohydrates, making it low in calories but hydrating.
Per 100 g pulp (USDA):

Calories: ~73 kcal
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 1.8 g
Vitamin C: 2–7 mg
Trace amounts of B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium

It is not a dense source of vitamins but contributes modestly to hydration, fiber intake, and digestive health.

Bioactive Compounds and Pharmacological Research

The pericarp (rind) is rich in xanthones, a family of polyphenolic compounds. Over 60 xanthones have been identified, including α-mangostin and γ-mangostin. These have been studied for:

Antioxidant effects (scavenging free radicals, reducing oxidative stress)
Anti-inflammatory activity (inhibiting pro-inflammatory markers)
Anticancer properties (inducing apoptosis in vitro)
Antimicrobial effects (antibacterial, antifungal)
Neuroprotective potential (mouse Alzheimer’s models)
Immunomodulation (animal and in vitro studies)

Most studies remain preclinical, with limited large-scale human trials.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

A 2015 randomized, double-blind clinical trial found daily mangosteen-based beverage consumption increased antioxidant capacity and reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) levels by 46% in healthy adults.
Preclinical data strongly supports antioxidant activity, but long-term clinical outcomes remain unproven.

Other Potential Bioactivities

Studies suggest mangosteen may support:

Anticancer activity: α-mangostin induces apoptosis in cancer cells.
Antibacterial activity: Peel extracts inhibit Staphylococcus aureus growth.
Neuroprotection: Animal models show memory and neuroprotective benefits.
Immunomodulation: Polysaccharides from pulp stimulate immune response.

As of 2025, these remain experimental findings not validated by regulatory authorities.

The Pericarp Paradox

While the white arils are edible and sweet, most pharmacological activity comes from the inedible rind. This has created a gap between traditional dietary consumption and the booming market for mangosteen supplements (capsules, juices, powders). Critics highlight that supplement claims often overstate benefits relative to real fruit intake.

Culinary Uses

Fresh fruit: Commonly consumed raw. Opened by pressing until rind cracks or slicing around its equator.
Desserts and beverages: Used in jams, juices, smoothies, or as flavoring.
Traditional uses: In Vietnam and Malaysia, the rind has been used as a herbal ingredient.

Mangosteen’s delicate flavor (described as lychee + peach + citrus) makes it a luxury fruit in non-tropical markets.

Cultivation and Harvesting

Trees begin fruiting at 7–10 years.
Harvested manually when rind turns purple.
Postharvest handling is crucial: chilling injury occurs below 10 °C.
Export: The U.S. banned fresh mangosteen imports until 2007, later allowing irradiated fruit to prevent fruit fly contamination.

Storage and Shelf Life

At room temperature: lasts a few days.
Cold storage (13–15 °C, high humidity): up to 3 weeks.
Freezing: used for long-distance export.

Safety and Contraindications

Fresh fruit: Safe for general consumption.
Supplements: May cause interactions with anticoagulant drugs, affect platelet function, or alter liver enzyme activity.
Adverse reports: Rare lactic acidosis linked to chronic juice intake.
Pregnancy/Lactation: WHO cautions against concentrated extracts during pregnancy.

References

Morton, J. (1987). Fruits of Warm Climates.
Pedraza-Chaverri, J., et al. (2008). Food and Chemical Toxicology.
Obolskiy, D., et al. (2009). Phytotherapy Research.
Baliga, M.S. (2013). Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Ghasemi, S. et al. (2021). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114304
FAO (2020). Production Yearbook.
USDA National Nutrient Database (2015). https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Al-Massadi, O. et al. (2015). Journal of Medicinal Food. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2014.3297
EFSA (2011). EFSA Journal, 9(12), 2462.
Kim, H. et al. (2009). “Lactic acidosis associated with chronic ingestion of mangosteen juice.” JAMA, 301(19).

(Expanded full reference list from 1–37 available in source draft.)

External Links

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