Bioactive compounds analysis in ethanolic extracts of Citrus maxima and Citrus sinensis exocarp and mesocarp

Nutritional, Bioactive, and Health Potential of Pomelo (Citrus maxima): An Exotic Underutilized Fruit

Pomelo scientifically known as Citrus maxima belongs to the family Rutaceae and is one of the largest fruits among citrus varieties. Mainly pomelo comes in different flesh colors such as red, pink, light pink, and white. The principal pomelo fruit polyphenols are phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and tannins. Pomelo fruit generates a large number of wastes including peel, pomace, and seeds which are comprised of bioactive compounds. The bioactive compounds carried in waste improve health functionalities. The hesperidin, narirutin, naringin, and their aglycone (naringenin), which have traditionally been acknowledged to constitute a characteristic component of pomelo, are the fruit's major constituents. Also, pomelo fruit juice is high in vitamins A and C, and the peel offers high protein, carbohydrate, and mineral content. Pomelo production and processing of different byproducts have become a perfect and long-lasting resource for agriculture and the food industry. The wastes loaded with immense essential components in pomelo have great importance in terms of human health. To have unique goods, to increase high consumer acceptability, and to have health advantages, this work gives a summary of recent advancements made to date with nutritional benefits, bioactive elements, and health benefits of pomelo fruit.

Sustainability analysis of orange peel biorefineries

Biorefineries are constantly evolving since new technological advances in enzyme and microbial processes are boosting research for producing new bio-based products. Nevertheless, the step towards real process implementation must overcome a series of stages based on process sustainability in the early design stages. Orange peel (OP) has been profiled as a potential raw material for producing different products. Few studies have estimated the sustainability of OP-based biorefineries considering the upstream influence on the final process performance. This research aims to perform the sustainability assessment of several OP valorization pathways based on experimental data applying the biorefinery concept. Steam distillation and polyphenolic compound extraction prior to saccharification and anaerobic digestion increase the process performance. A glucose concentration and biogas yield of 21.43 g/L (0.44 g/g OP, db) and 415 mL/g SV were obtained, respectively. An essential oil extraction yield of 1.17 g/100 g OP (db) with a d-limonene content of 91.62% was produced. Moreover, hesperidin, apigenin, and naringenin yields of 7.88 mg/g, 0.475 mg/g, and 0.675 mg/g were obtained. An OP-based biorefinery addressed to produce essential oil, polyphenolic compounds, and biogas with a processing 25 tons/day (wb) has a sustainability index of 66.88%, higher than the values obtained with lesser upstream stages. In conclusion, an integral OP upgrading leads to better enzymatic and anaerobic digestion performances, as well as, a high process sustainability.

Aqueous extract of pummelo pulp (Citrus maxima) improves the biochemical profile and reduces the inflammation process in Wistar rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

This study investigated the effect of pummelo extract (Citrus maxima) on biochemical, inflammatory, antioxidant and histological changes in NAFLD rats. Forty male Wistar rats divided into four groups were used: (1) control group; (2) fructose associated with high-fat diet - DHF; (3) normal diet + pummelo extract (50 mg/kg); and (4) FHD + pummelo extract. This was administered at dose of 50 mg/kg of the animal's weight, by gavage, for 45 days. Significant improvement in lipid profile, liver and kidney function, inflammation, oxidative stress markers was identified in group 4 compared to group 2. Regarding TNF-α and IL-1β, group 2 showed higher values (respectively 142, 5 ± 0.7 and 560.5 ± 2.7 pg/mg protein) compared to group 4 (respectively 91.4 ± 0.9 and 402.1.4 ± 0.9 pg/mg protein), p < 0.05. Significant increases were found in SOD and CAT activities, respectively 0.10 ± 0.06 and 8.62 ± 1.67 U/mg protein for group 2 and respectively 0.28 ± 0.08 and 21.52 ± 2.28 U/mg of protein for group 4. Decreases in triglycerides, hepatic cholesterol and fat droplets in hepatic tissue were observed in group 4 compared to group 2. Results highlight that pummelo extract may be useful for prevent the development of NAFLD.

Development of a HPLC-UV Method for the Separation and Quantification of Hesperidin, Neohesperidin, Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone and Hesperetin

An analysis method was developed for the separation and quantification of hesperidin, neohesperidin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone and hesperetin by using HPLC-UV. Single factor experiments and Box-Behnken Designs were used to optimize separation of four flavonoids, in which a gradient elution method was adopted with 99% acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid as mobile phases at a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min. A C₁₈ column was used with a column temperature of 35 °C. LODs and LOQs were below 0.84 µg/mL and 2.84 µg/mL, respectively. Linearity with good correlation coefficients (r > 0.99, n = 5) was attained, recovery rate of four flavonoids ranged from 88% to 130%, the RSD indicating results precision for analyzing hesperidin, neohesperidin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone and hesperetin ranged from 1.2% to 4.6%. Finally, the present method could be successfully applied to identify and quantify hesperidin, neohesperidin and hesperetin in Fructus Aurantii Immaturus and Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae.