Citrus medica: nutritional, phytochemical composition and health benefits - a review

Food Funct. 2018 Apr 25;9(4):1978-1992. doi: 10.1039/c7fo02035j.

Abstract

Citrus medica (Citron) is an underutilized fruit plant having various bioactive components in all parts of the plant. The major bioactive compounds present are iso-limonene, citral, limonene, phenolics, flavonones, vitamin C, pectin, linalool, decanal, and nonanal, accounting for several health benefits. Pectin and heteropolysachharides also play a major role as dietary fibers. The potential impact of citron and its bioactive components to prevent or reverse destructive deregulated processes responsible for certain diseases has attracted different researchers' attention. The fruit has numerous nutraceutical benefits, proven by pharmacological studies; for example, anti-catarrhal, capillary protector, anti-hypertensive, diuretic, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, analgesic, strong antioxidant, anticancerous, antidiabetic, estrogenic, antiulcer, cardioprotective, and antihyperglycemic. The present review explores new insights into the benefits of citron in various body parts. Throughout the world, citron has been used in making carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, syrup, candied peels, jams, marmalade, cordials, and many other value added products, which suggests it is an appropriate raw material to develop healthy processed food. In the present review, the fruit taxonomical classification, beneficial phytochemicals, antioxidant activities, and health benefits are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / analysis
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / economics
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Antioxidants / economics
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease / prevention & control*
  • Citrus* / chemistry
  • Citrus* / economics
  • Dietary Supplements / analysis
  • Dietary Supplements / economics
  • Food Additives / chemistry
  • Food Additives / economics
  • Food Additives / isolation & purification
  • Food Additives / therapeutic use
  • Food-Processing Industry / economics
  • Fruit* / chemistry
  • Fruit* / economics
  • Functional Food*
  • Humans
  • Industrial Waste / analysis
  • Industrial Waste / economics
  • Nutritive Value
  • Phytochemicals / analysis
  • Phytochemicals / economics
  • Phytochemicals / isolation & purification
  • Phytochemicals / therapeutic use
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / economics
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Antioxidants
  • Food Additives
  • Industrial Waste
  • Phytochemicals
  • Plant Extracts