Objective: The study was conducted to determine the preservative activity of ethanolic extract of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) pericarp and its compatibility in an antacid suspension. Methods: The extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and was used as preservative in a formulated antacid suspension. Compatibility with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipients were analyzed using fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Preservative activity of the formulation against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was assessed using the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) antimicrobial effectiveness test, with methylparaben as positive control and suspension without preservative as negative control. Results: The extract exhibited pharmaceutical compatibility with API and excipients. The formulation revealed comparable reduction in microbial count of E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa with positive control at Day 14 (p=0.916, 0.624, 0.335). At Day 28, comparable activity with positive control was only observed against E. coli and S. aureus (p=0.999, 0.854). However, it displayed significant increase in activity against P. aeruginosa (p=0.010) at Day 28. These activities may be attributed to glycosides and reducing substances present in the extract. Conclusion The ethanolic extract from Garcinia mangostana L. pericarp acted as a preservative in the formulation of an antacid suspension. It conformed to the USP criteria for antimicrobial effectiveness test on bacteria.
Garcinia mangostana ; Suspensions

BACKGROUND: Pectin is a heteropolysaccharide used in pharmaceutical formulations as a binding agent. Importation of pectin costs billions of Philippine pesos, but the local laboratory-scale production of this excipient from fruit peel wastes is estimated to be cheaper by 80%.

OBJECTIVE: To address economic and environment concerns associated with pectin production, this study aimed to optimize the isolation and purification of pharmaceutical grade pectin from pomelo (Citrus maxima Merr.) fruit peel as basis for commercial-scale production.

METHODS: Pectin was extracted from pomelo using different solvents: 6.2% w/w citric acid, 1N acetic acid, 3N hydrochloric acid, 3N nitric acid, and 3N sulfuric acid. Temperatures for extracting pectin were explored at 40°C, 60°C, and 90°C. Obtained pectin samples were characterized based on the following parameters: equivalent weight (EW), methoxyl content (MC), ash content (AC), anhydrouronic acid content (AUA), and degree of esterification (DE).

RESULTS: Highest pectin yield (9.25%) was obtained using 3N nitric acid and 3N sulfuric acid at 90°C.Based from the pharmacopeial standards (MC ? 6.7, AUA ? 74.0), all the samples did not pass the parameters, except the pectin extracted using 3N sulfuric acid at 90°C (MC = 6.76, AUA = 74.61).

CONCLUSION: Among the different solvents used for extraction, 3N sulfuric acid produced the highest percent yield of pharmaceutical grade pectin from pomelo fruit peel. Its optimum temperature for extraction was at 90°C. The sample passed the USP standards of MC values not less than 6.76 and AUA values not less than 74. Under the following conditions, pomelo fruit peel have the potential for commercial-scale production of pharmaceutical grade pectin.

Plant ; Citrus