Bioactive Phytochemicals from Citrus Oil Processing By-products

Abstract

AbstractCitrus fruits are a perfect storehouse of biologically active compounds and phytochemicals. When processing citrus fruit, large amounts of waste are produced. Citrus fruit waste products contain high value-added compounds (polyphenolic compounds, carotenoids, and essential oils), support health positively, and can be used in different industries. Many studies have shown that polyphenolic compounds, carotenoids, and essential oils have beneficial effects on health. Polyphenolic compounds have remarkable potential as valuable raw materials in the production of functional food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Citrus peels and seeds have high commercial value as raw materials for essential oils. In this chapter, citrus oil and its by-products are discussed. It is inevitable to search for alternative oil sources with industrial importance, especially their functional and nutritional quality. Phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenes have many beneficial effects on essential oils obtained from the peels, seeds, and leaves of citrus fruits, which are considered waste. Today, essential oil extraction from citrus waste is a very attractive research area for many scientists. Numerous analysts have detailed that citrus seed oils, which are exceptionally wealthy in unsaturated fatty acids and whose commercial extraction is not common, are a valuable oil potential/cheap raw material suitable for use in applications such as aromatherapy as well as industrial uses such as edible oil industry, cosmetics, pharmacology, soap, and detergent.KeywordsEssential oilsSeedsLeavesFunctional foodLimonoidsFlavonoidsOrganic acids