Abstract
Mangiferin, a bioactive compound having potent nutraceutical, strong antioxidant and pharmacological significance has been extracted using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique from Curcuma amada, commonly known as mango ginger. The extraction solvent ethanol is eco-friendly, nontoxic and reduces the risk of environmental hazards. The influence of several independent variables such as microwave power, ethanol concentration, extraction (irradiation) time and pre-leaching time has been studied under varying conditions using one-factor-at-a-time analysis to obtain an optimal extraction ratio. The maximum mangiferin content of 1.1156 mg/g is obtained at microwave power of 550 W and extraction time of 50 s with 80 % ethanol as a solvent and pre-leaching time of 20 min. The results indicate that microwave power and ethanol concentration have the most significant effect on the yield of mangiferin content. The presence of mangiferin in final Curcuma amada extract is confirmed through high-performance liquid chromatography and the functional groups are identified through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses using standard mangiferin. The experimental profiles are fitted into a two-parameter modified first-order kinetic model and a three-parameter modified logistic model and checked using the goodness-of-fit criterion. The Curcuma amada retained its antioxidant activity after MAE treatment and the antioxidant activity of mangiferin obtained after extraction using DPPH free radical scavenging assay is studied.