Citrus aurantium L. Active Constituents, Biological Effects and Extraction Methods. An Updated Review

Abstract

Citrus genus is a prominent staple crop globally. Long-term breeding and much hybridization engendered a myriad of species, each characterized by a specific metabolism generating different secondary metabolites. Citrus aurantium L., commonly recognized as sour or bitter orange, can exceptionally be distinguished from other Citrus species by unique characteristics. It is a fruit with distinctive flavor, rich in nutrients and phytochemicals which possess different health benefits. This paper presents an overview of the most recent studies done on the matter. It intends to provide an in-depth understanding of the biological activities and medicinal uses of active constituents existing in C. aurantium. Every plant part is first discussed separately with regards to its content in active constituents. All extraction methods, their concepts and yields, used to recover these valuable molecules from their original plant matrix are thoroughly reported.

The Protective Effects of Sour Orange (Citrus aurantium L.) Polymethoxyflavones on Mice Irradiation-Induced Intestinal Injury

“…Sour orange ( Citrus aurantium L.) is important germplasm often used as rootstock and crude material of herbal medicine with a long history of application. It has been proven that sour orange peel contains various bioactive compounds, such as synephrine and rutinum [ 11 ]. As a kind of secondary metabolites, PMFs are defined as flavones bearing two or more methoxy groups (-OCH 3 ) which mainly exist in citrus fruit and vegetative tissues [ 19 ].…”

“…A variety of bioactive compounds have been detected in sour oranges, such as flavonoids, volatile components (i.e., limonene, pinene, linalool, etc.) and alkaloids [ 11 ]. Among numerous compounds in sour orange, a group of flavones bearing two or more methoxy groups (also known as polymethoxyflavones (PMFs)) have been proven to have bioactivities of antioxidant, anti-inflammation and antifatigue [ 12 ].…”

Comparative Study of Natural Antioxidants from Glycine max, Anethum graveolensand Pimpinella anisum Seed and Sprout Extracts Obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

“…Ultrasound-assisted extraction has proven to be among the most efficient methods in the extraction of plant materials, based on high efficiency, less extraction time, reduced solvent consumption and high selectivity [31,32]. This method is increasingly used in the extraction of thermolabile compounds to reduce the extraction time, the costs of the procedure and to avoid exposure to high temperatures.…”

“…This method is increasingly used in the extraction of thermolabile compounds to reduce the extraction time, the costs of the procedure and to avoid exposure to high temperatures. Ultrasonic extraction involves the use of ultrasound from 20 kHz to 2000 kHz, and can be used in both small and large scale extraction of phytochemicals, but at high frequencies the effect on active phytochemicals, through the formation of free radicals, is taken into account [31]. Ultrasound-assisted extraction is based on the mechanical effect of the acoustic cavity from ultrasound which leads to an increase in surface contact between solvents and the permeability of cell walls of plant samples.…”

Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oils, and Their Combinations, Obtained from Flavedo By-Product of Seven Cultivars of Sicilian Citrus aurantium L.

“…Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated the C. aurantium fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, and essential oils’ biological properties including antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, anxiolytic, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory activities [ 8 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Due to the abundance of health-giving secondary metabolites, C. aurantium is used for the treatment of several ailments, such as anxiety, cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, and obesity [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”