This study presents the preparation of activated carbon from mangosteen peel via microwave assisted K2CO3 activation. The operational parameters including chemical impregnation ratio, microwave power and irradiation time on the carbon yield and adsorption capability of the mangosteen peel derived activated carbon (MPAC) were investigated. The virgin characteristics of the prepared MPAC were examined by pore structural analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption isotherm, elemental analysis, surface acidity/basicity and zeta potential measurement. The adsorptive property of MPAC was tested using methylene blue as dye model compound. The best conditions resulted in MPAC with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 379.63 mg/g and carbon yield of 80.95%, respectively. Equilibrium data were favorably described by Langmuir isotherm, while adsorption kinetics was best fitted to the pseudo-second-order model. The findings support the feasibility of mangosteen peel derived activated carbon as a promising and economic adsorbent. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.