Mangifera indica is a tropical fruiting tree known for producing mangoes, one of the most popular and widely consumed fruits globally. Native to India and surrounding regions of Southeast Asia, this plant is valued for its sweet, juicy fruit and durable wood.

Botanical Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Sapindales
• Family: Anacardiaceae
• Genus: Mangifera
• Species: Mangifera indica

Plant Characteristics:

Growth Form: Mangifera indica is an evergreen tree that can reach heights of 10-40 meters, with a broad, dense canopy. The trees are known for their longevity, often living for several decades.

Leaves: The leaves are long, narrow, and leathery, dark green in color. They are arranged in clusters at the tips of the branches and have a lanceolate shape.

Flowers: The flowers are small, white or yellowish, and arranged in panicles. They are generally inconspicuous but have a sweet fragrance.

Fruits: The fruit is an oval drupe with a skin that varies from green to yellow, orange, or red when ripe. The flesh is sweet and juicy, with a large, flat seed in the center.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

• Carbohydrates: Mangoes are rich in carbohydrates, primarily natural sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose.
• Vitamins: The fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), and B vitamins such as vitamin B6 and folic acid.
• Minerals: Mangoes contain essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and copper.
• Antioxidants: Mangoes are rich in antioxidants, including polyphenols, carotenoids, and flavonoids, which help neutralize free radicals and protect cells.

Cultivation:

• Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Mangoes do not tolerate heavy, waterlogged soils.
• Climate: Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with warm, stable temperatures (ideally between 24-30°C). Sensitive to frost and requires a frost-free environment.
• Irrigation: Requires regular irrigation during dry periods. However, excessive water should be avoided to prevent root rot.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced or specific fruit tree fertilizer with a good potassium and phosphorus content to support flowering and fruiting.
• Pruning: Pruning helps maintain a compact tree shape, improves air circulation, and facilitates fruit harvest. Remove damaged branches and those growing inward.

Uses and Benefits:

• Culinary Uses: Mangoes are eaten fresh, cooked, or processed into juices, smoothies, jams, and desserts. Their sweet, aromatic flesh is widely used in cooking.
• Medicinal Uses: Traditionally, mangoes are valued for their antioxidant and nutrient properties. They are believed to aid digestion, support the immune system, and contribute to skin health.
• Cosmetic Uses: Mango extracts are used in skincare and haircare products for their moisturizing and nourishing properties. They are included in creams, lotions, and face masks.

Applications:

• Food Industry: Mangoes are a versatile ingredient in the food industry, used in a wide range of products from juices to jams.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: Mango extracts and compounds are studied for their health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Cosmetic Industry: Ingredients derived from mango are used in cosmetics and skincare products for their moisturizing and nourishing qualities.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

• Environmental Impact: Mango cultivation can have environmental impacts if not managed sustainably. It's important to adopt agricultural practices that minimize pesticide use and promote water conservation.
• Safety: Mangoes are generally safe to eat. However, some individuals may be sensitive or allergic to the fruit. Proper washing and hygiene practices should be followed to avoid contamination.

Studies

In world production, 80 percent of mangoes are consumed as fruit, and from the remaining 20 percent are made into purees, sauces, preserves. liquors, cosmetic ingredients and an edible oil.

Main cultivars: Carrie, Keitt, Glenn, Manzanillo, Maya, Rosa, Osteen, Tommy Atkins and Kensington Pride
Main vitamins and minerals n 100 grams:

• Potassium, 100 mg
• Phosphorus, 11 mg
• Calcium, 10 mg
• Magnesium, 9 mg
• Choline, 7.5 mg
• Vitamin A, 760 IU
• Vitamin C, 27 mg

It also has a good content of carotenoids (Neoxanthin, beta carotene) that have antioxidant activity.

Tannin and vanillin are present with 20% each, while gallic acid, coumarin, caffeic acid, ferroic acid and cinnamic acid are present in low percentages (1).

Mango peel extract demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy on cell lines of colon cancer by influencing cell viability and  inhibited the colony formation trend  (2).

An extract is obtained from the mango leaves that has demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for biofilm formation and infections (3).

Mango oil derived from the kernel has lower free fatty acids, carotenoid content, and peroxide value, and is usually used without any processing, which is otherwise mandatory for commercial vegetable oils. Palmitic, stearic and oleic acids are the main fatty acids, and the triglyceride composition and fatty acid profile suggest a wide range of trans free options (4).

Cosmetics

Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

Mango studies

References________________________________________________________________________

(1) Sharma, D., Gupta, S., Kumar, R., Singh, P., Singh, A., & Khan, H. (2024). An ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological review on Mangifera indica (Mango). Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, 16(1), 30-34.

Abstract. Traditional medicine is a body of knowledge, skills, and practices based on traditional cultures' presumptions, beliefs, and experiences in order to maintain their health. Traditional herbal treatments are highly valued among many rural or indigenous people in many underdeveloped nations. According to the World Health Organization, about 80% of the world's population relies on traditional medicine, with 60% of rural Indians using herbal treatments. During the previous five years, utilization of herbal supplements grew from 2.5 % to 12 percent. Mangifera indica, a plant that is frequently used in ayurvedic medicine. Although there have already been literature reviews on this plant, this one is presented to gather all the most recent data on its pharmacological and phytochemical activities, which have been widely studied using a variety of techniques. Mango is said to have antidiabetic, anti-oxidant, antiviral, cardiotonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory properties, according to studies. Numerous effects have also been investigated, including hypolipidemia, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and gastroprotective properties. Other effects include antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, antiparasitic, antitumor, anti-HIV, anti-bone demineralization, antispasmodic, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, and immunomodulatory properties. These studies are extremely positive and suggest that additional research on this herb is needed to confirm these findings and elucidate additional potential therapeutic effects. The use of mango in clinical trials for a range of ailments is also recommended.

(2) Lauricella M, Lo Galbo V, Cernigliaro C, Maggio A, Palumbo Piccionello A, Calvaruso G, Carlisi D, Emanuele S, Giuliano M, D'Anneo A. The Anti-Cancer Effect of Mangifera indica L. Peel Extract is Associated to γH2AX-mediated Apoptosis in Colon Cancer Cells. Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Sep 22;8(10):422. doi: 10.3390/antiox8100422. PMID: 31546694; PMCID: PMC6826946.

Abstract. Ethanolic extracts from Mangifera indica L. have been proved to possess anti-tumor properties in many cancer systems. However, although most effects have been demonstrated with fruit pulp extract, the underlying molecular mechanisms of mango peel are still unclear. This study was designed to explore the effects of mango peel extract (MPE) on colon cancer cell lines. MPE affected cell viability and inhibited the colony formation trend of tumor cells, while no effects were observed in human dermal fibroblasts used as a non-cancerous cell line model. These events were a consequence of the induction of apoptosis associated to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, activation of players of the oxidative response such as JNK and ERK1/2, and the increase in Nrf2 and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Significantly, mango peel-activated stress triggered a DNA damage response evidenced by the precocious phosphorylation of histone 2AX (γH2AX), as well as phosphorylated Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase and p53 upregulation. Mango peel extract was also characterized, and HPLC/MS (High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) analysis unveiled the presence of some phenolic compounds that could be responsible for the anti-cancer effects. Collectively, these findings point out the importance of the genotoxic stress signaling pathway mediated by γH2AX in targeting colon tumor cells to apoptosis.

(3) Manzur AG, Sm Junior V, Morais-Costa F, Mariano EG, Careli RT, da Silva LM, Coelho SG, de Almeida AC, Duarte ER. Extract of Mangifera indica L. leaves may reduce biofilms of Staphylococcus spp. in stainless steel and teatcup rubbers. Food Sci Technol Int. 2020 Jan;26(1):11-20. doi: 10.1177/1082013219858529. 

Abstract. Human ingestion of antimicrobial residues in dairy products is a problem of public health. In this study we evaluated antibacterial effectiveness of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Mangifera indica L. as a natural alternative for reduction of Staphylococcus spp. biofilms. Eight Staphylococcus spp. strains from cows with mastitis and the Staphylococcus aureus strain (ATCC 25923) were evaluated. High performance liquid chromatography indicated the presence of phenolic compounds in the aqueous extract. Agilent Technologies gas chromatography revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and gallic acid in ethanolic extract. The tannin contents were 2.27 ± 0.01 and 2.67 ± 0.01% for ethanolic extract and aqueous extract, respectively. Extracts were evaluated in agar diffusion test and the size of inhibition zones were compared. The ethanolic extract was the most effective, showing minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations between 1.8-7.5 and 15.1-45.3 mg/ml, respectively. After tannin removal, the extracts were less effective, indicating these secondary metabolites as one of the main antibacterial compounds. The ethanolic extract at 45.3 mg/ml reduced mature biofilms in teat rubber (average: 3.91 log reduction) and stainless steel (average: 3.87 log reduction) after 5 min of contact. The extracts of M. indica leaves represent natural alternatives against Staphylococcus spp. strains and the ethanolic extract shows potential as a natural sanitizer.

(4) Nadeem M, Imran M, Khalique A. Promising features of mango (Mangifera indica L.) kernel oil: a review. J Food Sci Technol. 2016 May;53(5):2185-95. doi: 10.1007/s13197-015-2166-8. Epub 2016 Apr 29. PMID: 27407184; PMCID: PMC4921070. 

Abstract. Mango kernel contains about 15 % good quality edible oil, that is comparable to soybean and cottonseed, which contain about 18-20 % oil. Mango kernel oil (MKO) has lower free fatty acids, carotenoid content and peroxide value, and is usually used without any processing, which is otherwise mandatory for commercial vegetable oils. Palmitic, stearic and oleic acids are the major fatty acids, triglyceride composition and fatty acid profile suggest wide range of trans free options. With 32-36 °C melting point, MKO is solid at room temperature, thus, does not require partial hydrogenation for application in foods. MKO can be used as an alternative of cocoa butter, which is used in chocolates and confectionaries. Total phenolic contents and induction period of MKO is greater than many commercial vegetable oils; thus, it can be used as an alternative of synthetic antioxidants for the preservation of fats and oils. Mangiferin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin and caffeic acid are the major phenolic compounds present in MKO. Functional properties of MKO can be further improved through fractionation, transesterification and interesterification for increased industrial applications.