Citrus Peel as a Source of Beneficial Phytochemical and Pharmacological Potential

Abstract

Citrus plant is native to tropical Asia. Despite that it is also found in all tropical and subtropical country. The worldwide annual production of citrus fruits is 105 million metric tons between 2000 and 2004 [1] and has been increasing steadily throughout 2000s reaching over 124 million tonnes by 2016 [2]. Citrus fruits belong to the family Rutaceae of the genus Citrus. Which includes fruits such as tangerine, orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit. Citrus fruits are well-known as a source of beneficial nutrients as well as phenolic compounds which are for human health. In major citrus producing countries such as Brazil and the United States, the percentage of fruits being utilized into juices reaches 96 % while the average percentage is 34 % [1]. Based on the average yield of juices, peel of citrus covers a big part of surplus [1,3-5]. Owing to a large amount of waste produced, fermentation of the waste is affecting the environment. Citrus by-products which eventually discarded