Mangifera indica, commonly known as mango, is a tropical fruit native to South Asia but now grown in various tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The fruit extract is derived from the pulp of the mango and is used primarily in cosmetic and skincare formulations for its beneficial properties. The extract is obtained through processes that concentrate the active compounds of the fruit.
Chemical Composition and Structure: The chemical composition of mango fruit extract includes:
Carbohydrates: Contains natural sugars such as fructose, glucose, and sucrose, which contribute to skin hydration.
Vitamins: Rich in Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Vitamin A (beta-carotene), and other vitamins like E and K, known for their antioxidant and skin-supportive properties.
Minerals: Includes essential minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which are important for maintaining skin hydration and balance.
Phytochemicals: The extract is abundant in natural antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids, which help combat free radicals and protect the skin from environmental damage.
Fiber: Although present in lower concentrations than in the whole fruit, fiber in the extract contributes to mild exfoliation and improved skin texture.
The chemical structure of key compounds like carotenoids and polyphenols involves complex arrangements of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, providing antioxidant and protective benefits.
Physical Properties:
- Color: Ranges from pale yellow to orange, depending on the concentration and purity of the extract.
- Consistency: Typically appears as a viscous liquid or concentrate, depending on the extraction method and formulation.
- Odor: Has a fruity, sweet aroma similar to fresh mango.
- Solubility: Soluble in both water and oil-based solvents, making it versatile for various cosmetic formulations.
Production Process:
- Harvesting: Mangoes are harvested at full ripeness to ensure optimal concentration of nutrients and active compounds.
- Extraction: The fruit is washed and processed to extract the pulp. Extraction methods may include mechanical, chemical, or solvent-based techniques to obtain the concentrated extract.
- Purification: The extract is filtered and purified to remove impurities and concentrate the active ingredients.
- Preservation: The extract is stored under controlled conditions to maintain its active properties and prevent degradation.
Applications:
- Cosmetics: Mango extract is used in skincare products for its moisturizing, antioxidant, and nourishing properties. It is commonly found in creams, lotions, masks, and serums.
INCI Functions:
Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment by restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants.
CAS: 90063-86-8
EC number 290-045-4
- Hair Care: Incorporated into shampoos and conditioners for its moisturizing and nourishing effects, enhancing hair shine and softness.
- Supplements: Occasionally used in dietary supplements for its potential antioxidant benefits and overall health support.
Environmental and Safety Considerations:
- Sustainability: It is important to use sustainable farming practices to minimize the environmental impact of mango production and extraction.
- Allergies: Generally regarded as safe for topical application. However, like all extracts, it should be used according to established guidelines to minimize the risk of allergic reactions or skin irritations. Individuals with allergies or very sensitive skin should exercise caution and perform a patch test prior to use.
- Storage: The extract should be stored in cool, dry conditions to maintain its quality and efficacy.
Studies
Main cultivars: Carrie, Keitt, Glenn, Manzanillo, Maya, Rosa, Osteen, Tommy Atkins and Kensington Pride
Main vitamins and minerals n 100 grams:
- Potassium, 100 mg
- Phosphorus, 11 mg
- Calcium, 10 mg
- Magnesium, 9 mg
- Choline, 7.5 mg
- Vitamin A, 760 IU
- Vitamin C, 27 mg
It also has a good content of carotenoids (Neoxanthin, beta carotene) that have antioxidant activity.
Tannin and vanillin are present with 20% each, while gallic acid, coumarin, caffeic acid, ferroic acid and cinnamic acid are present in low percentages (1).
Mango peel extract demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy on cell lines of colon cancer by influencing cell viability and inhibited the colony formation trend (2).
An extract is obtained from the mango leaves that has demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for biofilm formation and infections (3).
Mango oil derived from the kernel has lower free fatty acids, carotenoid content, and peroxide value, and is usually used without any processing, which is otherwise mandatory for commercial vegetable oils. Palmitic, stearic and oleic acids are the main fatty acids, and the triglyceride composition and fatty acid profile suggest a wide range of trans free options (4).
Mango studies
References________________________________________________________________________
(1) Sharma, D., Gupta, S., Kumar, R., Singh, P., Singh, A., & Khan, H. (2024). An ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological review on Mangifera indica (Mango). Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, 16(1), 30-34.
Abstract. Traditional medicine is a body of knowledge, skills, and practices based on traditional cultures' presumptions, beliefs, and experiences in order to maintain their health. Traditional herbal treatments are highly valued among many rural or indigenous people in many underdeveloped nations. According to the World Health Organization, about 80% of the world's population relies on traditional medicine, with 60% of rural Indians using herbal treatments. During the previous five years, utilization of herbal supplements grew from 2.5 % to 12 percent. Mangifera indica, a plant that is frequently used in ayurvedic medicine. Although there have already been literature reviews on this plant, this one is presented to gather all the most recent data on its pharmacological and phytochemical activities, which have been widely studied using a variety of techniques. Mango is said to have antidiabetic, anti-oxidant, antiviral, cardiotonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory properties, according to studies. Numerous effects have also been investigated, including hypolipidemia, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and gastroprotective properties. Other effects include antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, antiparasitic, antitumor, anti-HIV, anti-bone demineralization, antispasmodic, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, and immunomodulatory properties. These studies are extremely positive and suggest that additional research on this herb is needed to confirm these findings and elucidate additional potential therapeutic effects. The use of mango in clinical trials for a range of ailments is also recommended.
(2) Lauricella M, Lo Galbo V, Cernigliaro C, Maggio A, Palumbo Piccionello A, Calvaruso G, Carlisi D, Emanuele S, Giuliano M, D'Anneo A. The Anti-Cancer Effect of Mangifera indica L. Peel Extract is Associated to γH2AX-mediated Apoptosis in Colon Cancer Cells. Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Sep 22;8(10):422. doi: 10.3390/antiox8100422. PMID: 31546694; PMCID: PMC6826946.
Abstract. Ethanolic extracts from Mangifera indica L. have been proved to possess anti-tumor properties in many cancer systems. However, although most effects have been demonstrated with fruit pulp extract, the underlying molecular mechanisms of mango peel are still unclear. This study was designed to explore the effects of mango peel extract (MPE) on colon cancer cell lines. MPE affected cell viability and inhibited the colony formation trend of tumor cells, while no effects were observed in human dermal fibroblasts used as a non-cancerous cell line model. These events were a consequence of the induction of apoptosis associated to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, activation of players of the oxidative response such as JNK and ERK1/2, and the increase in Nrf2 and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Significantly, mango peel-activated stress triggered a DNA damage response evidenced by the precocious phosphorylation of histone 2AX (γH2AX), as well as phosphorylated Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase and p53 upregulation. Mango peel extract was also characterized, and HPLC/MS (High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) analysis unveiled the presence of some phenolic compounds that could be responsible for the anti-cancer effects. Collectively, these findings point out the importance of the genotoxic stress signaling pathway mediated by γH2AX in targeting colon tumor cells to apoptosis.
(3) Manzur AG, Sm Junior V, Morais-Costa F, Mariano EG, Careli RT, da Silva LM, Coelho SG, de Almeida AC, Duarte ER. Extract of Mangifera indica L. leaves may reduce biofilms of Staphylococcus spp. in stainless steel and teatcup rubbers. Food Sci Technol Int. 2020 Jan;26(1):11-20. doi: 10.1177/1082013219858529.
Abstract. Human ingestion of antimicrobial residues in dairy products is a problem of public health. In this study we evaluated antibacterial effectiveness of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Mangifera indica L. as a natural alternative for reduction of Staphylococcus spp. biofilms. Eight Staphylococcus spp. strains from cows with mastitis and the Staphylococcus aureus strain (ATCC 25923) were evaluated. High performance liquid chromatography indicated the presence of phenolic compounds in the aqueous extract. Agilent Technologies gas chromatography revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and gallic acid in ethanolic extract. The tannin contents were 2.27 ± 0.01 and 2.67 ± 0.01% for ethanolic extract and aqueous extract, respectively. Extracts were evaluated in agar diffusion test and the size of inhibition zones were compared. The ethanolic extract was the most effective, showing minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations between 1.8-7.5 and 15.1-45.3 mg/ml, respectively. After tannin removal, the extracts were less effective, indicating these secondary metabolites as one of the main antibacterial compounds. The ethanolic extract at 45.3 mg/ml reduced mature biofilms in teat rubber (average: 3.91 log reduction) and stainless steel (average: 3.87 log reduction) after 5 min of contact. The extracts of M. indica leaves represent natural alternatives against Staphylococcus spp. strains and the ethanolic extract shows potential as a natural sanitizer.
(4) Nadeem M, Imran M, Khalique A. Promising features of mango (Mangifera indica L.) kernel oil: a review. J Food Sci Technol. 2016 May;53(5):2185-95. doi: 10.1007/s13197-015-2166-8. Epub 2016 Apr 29. PMID: 27407184; PMCID: PMC4921070.
Abstract. Mango kernel contains about 15 % good quality edible oil, that is comparable to soybean and cottonseed, which contain about 18-20 % oil. Mango kernel oil (MKO) has lower free fatty acids, carotenoid content and peroxide value, and is usually used without any processing, which is otherwise mandatory for commercial vegetable oils. Palmitic, stearic and oleic acids are the major fatty acids, triglyceride composition and fatty acid profile suggest wide range of trans free options. With 32-36 °C melting point, MKO is solid at room temperature, thus, does not require partial hydrogenation for application in foods. MKO can be used as an alternative of cocoa butter, which is used in chocolates and confectionaries. Total phenolic contents and induction period of MKO is greater than many commercial vegetable oils; thus, it can be used as an alternative of synthetic antioxidants for the preservation of fats and oils. Mangiferin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin and caffeic acid are the major phenolic compounds present in MKO. Functional properties of MKO can be further improved through fractionation, transesterification and interesterification for increased industrial applications.
