The invention relates to the field of
plant extraction, in particular to a method for extracting a hydroxycitrate from
garcinia cambogia fruits. The method comprises the following steps: S1, pulverizing
garcinia cambogia fruits; S2, adding water into the
garcinia cambogia fruits pulverized in the S1 according to a material-
liquid ratio of 1:(13-15), carrying out boiling at 110-120 DEG C for 10-20min, carrying out cooling, then carrying out filtering, and retaining the filtrate; S3, concentrating the filtrate in step S2 by 4-6 times, and adding 90-95%
ethanol with 1-2 times of the volume of theconcentrated solution; S4, filtering the solution obtained in the S3, and adding 90-95%
ethanol into the filtrate to adjust the
alcohol content to 58-62%; S5, adding an alkali solution in the solution obtained in the S4, and adjusting the pH value of the solution to 11.5-12.5; and S6, filtering the solution obtained in the S5, and carrying out washing, evaporating and
drying. Through the method,
hydroxycitric acid is in an alkaline
atmosphere rather than directly forms a neutral salt with alkaline substances. As the carboxyl cannot form carboxyl salts, the alkaline condition is not beneficialto an
esterification reaction, so that formation of
lactone is effectively reduced, and purity and
biological activity of the hydroxycitrate are improved.