Rind of mangosteen is one of the best natural sources of xanthones, which have been reported to have
high antioxidant activity. In many cases mangosteen rind must be dried prior to extraction of the active
compounds. However, information on the effects of different drying methods and conditions on the
retention of xanthones in mangosteen rind is still very limited. This work was therefore aimed at studying
the effects of selected drying methods and conditions on the changes of the contents as well as the antioxidant
activity of xanthones in mangosteen rind. Mangosteen rind was subject to hot-air drying, vacuum
drying or low-pressure superheated steam drying (LPSSD) at 60, 75 and 90 C and in the case of subatmospheric
drying methods at an absolute pressure of 7 kPa. The xanthones contents were analysed
by HPLC, while their antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging capacity and ABTS
assays. The results showed that the drying methods significantly affected degradation of xanthones
(i.e., a-mangostin and 8-desoxygartanin) and their antioxidant activity. Either hot-air drying or LPSSD
at 75 C is proposed as an appropriate drying technique and condition to preserve xanthones in mangosteen
rind.