OPTIMIZATION AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS FROM MANGIFERA INDICA L. LEAVES: FOCUS ON MANGIFERIN YIELD AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Mangiferin (MGF) is a natural polyphenolic compound with notable therapeutic potential, widely recognized for its strong antioxidant properties and diverse pharmacological benefits. Predominantly found in mango leaves (Mangifera indica L.), MGF has gained increasing interest from the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to its broad bioactivity. This study aimed to optimize the hydroalcoholic maceration process for MGF extraction. Initially, a Taguchi experimental design comprising 09 trials was applied as a preliminary screening method to identify the most influential variables. Key factors enhancing MGF recovery were identified and subsequently refined using a Box-Behnken response surface methodology with 15 experimental runs. The optimal extraction conditions were defined as 39.9 °C, 8 h, and 80% (v/v) ethanol, yielding 41.60 mg of MGF per gram of dry weight (d.w.). The resulting extracts were biochemically characterized for soluble protein content, total reducing sugars, and total phenolic content, confirming their enriched composition. Antioxidant activity, measured by the DPPH radical scavenging assay, revealed an inhibition rate of 87.74% at 10.0 mg/g d.w., with an IC50 of 5.45 mg/g, benchmarked against Trolox, highlighting the extract's potent antioxidant capacity. Future directions include the use of polymeric micelle-based aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) for MGF purification, stability studies under diverse physicochemical parameters, and encapsulation into nanostructured micellar systems to improve its bioavailability and formulation potential. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of MGF will be assessed against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, supporting its potential applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive and sustainable framework for the extraction, characterization, and innovative utilization of mangiferin as a high-value bioactive compound, reinforcing its relevance across various bioindustrial sectors.