Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL ACTIVITY OF BITTER ORANGE (Citrus aurantium L.) PEEL POWDER

Adeline Dorcas F.*, Sheila John, Estherlydia and Priyadarshini S.

Abstract

Citrus fruit peel apart from being physical and chemical barrier has several health benefiting constituents such as phytochemicals, fibre, pectin and essential oil that help to accomplish overall wellness. The present study was conducted to determine the presence of various phytochemicals present in Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) peel powder using various solvents such as aqueous, acetone, ethanol, petroleum ether and chloroform. The ethanol extract of Citrus aurantium L. showed maximum number of phytochemicals present followed by acetone, aqueous, petroleum ether and chloroform extract. Estimation of total phenol, tannin and flavanoid content was carried out using three different extracts (aqueous, ethanol and acetone). The results indicated that total phenol content, total tannin content and total flavonoid content of Citrus aurantium L. peel powder was highest in ethanol extract i.e. 1.764 mg/Gallic acid g, 1.76 mg/TAE g and 0.32 mg Qe/g respectively.

Keywords: phytochemicals, bitter orange, fruit peel powder.