The fruit of the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) tree is an
important agricultural commodity in Southeast Asian countries.
Thailand, the single largest producer,harvested approximately 240
000 metric tons of fruit in 2006.1 The white edible portion, which
accounts for one third of the fruit weight, is increasingly frozen,
canned or used in the manufacture of secondary products. Few
uses have been found for the fruit pericarp which, together with
other by-products of cultivation, represents a significant source of
agricultural waste.