Queen of fruits: Thai cosmetics firm sees vast potential for mangosteen extract

Quality Plus collaborated with Kasetsart University to research the active ingredients derived from mangosteen peels.

They found that the purified xanthone from the peels has potent cosmetic properties.

“Purified xanthone from mangosteen is a really special ingredient,”​ said Wuttipong Panitsettakorn, managing director of Quality Plus. “It has been found to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial properties.”​

Beauty Queen

According to Panitsettakorn, the cosmetic industry utilises crude mangosteen extract that is inferior to purified xanthone.

“Some products use the crude extract, but the high value comes from its purified state.”​

Once purified, the ingredient can be used to develop a variety of cosmetic products, including anti-acne and anti-ageing products, as well as sensitive skin and brightening products

Panitsettakorn said the company has to use almost 9,000 units of mangosteens to extract a kilogram of purified xanthone.

“The ingredient is very concentrated and its efficacy is high. We can see results the very next day.”​

Panitsettakorn believes the ingredient has global potential. Quality Plus is currently exporting the ingredient in Thailand, Brazil and is looking to further expand in Japan, where Thai cuisine is popular.

“There is a lot of potential in the ingredient because of its efficacy as an anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory products.”​

He added: “At an exhibition in Brazil, people were lining up to learn more about the ingredient. Once they see the fruit itself, they are interested because mangosteen is very exotic to them.”​

Panitsettakorn added that the company has won many awards for its products including international awards such as a gold award at the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival.

Potential beyond cosmetics

Quality Plus also produces its own line of anti-acne treatments, ACNONC, which is sold in over 900 stores in Thailand through retail chains such as Watsons and Eveandboy.

Since its launch, the company has expanded the brand to China, where it has been gaining popularity, as well as Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

“We launched anti-acne products first because we wanted to show that it can produce quick results and there is a lot of proven data to back it,”​ said Panitsettakorn.

He added that the company would continue to look into the ingredient and develop it for anti-ageing and oral care products.

“We have reports that show purified xanthone can inhibit oral bacteria and we are looking into the potential of developing oral care products.”​

Additionally, Panitsettakorn revealed that the company was currently researching into the medical application of purified xanthone.

“We currently have a different project under development about wound care. This research has the potential to save people, especially now with our ageing society. We expect to have results in the next two to three years.” ​

He concluded: “We would like to amplify our research and bring this ingredient in to the medicine and even supplement fields in the future. We want to discover more. This ingredient really has potential and we hope to diversify into different industries. ”​