Planta Med 2009; 75(1): 62-64
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1088363
Pharmacology
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Antioxidant Activity of Citrus Cultivars and Chemical Composition of Citrus karna Essential Oil

Swadesh Malhotra1 , Samiksha Suri1 , Rakesh Tuli1
  • 1National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
Further Information

Publication History

Received: May 8, 2008 Revised: September 6, 2008

Accepted: September 15, 2008

Publication Date:
24 November 2008 (online)

Abstract

The genus Citrus has a number of species and hybrids that are well established for their pharmaceutical and economic importance. The essential oil from Citrus karna Raf (Rutaceae) was analyzed for d-limonene (92.31 %), the major chemical constituent, along with other minor constituents such as α-pinene (1.23 %) and β-pinene (1.80 %). It showed significant inhibition for the oxidation of linoleic acid in the β-carotene-linoleic acid system. Essential oils A and B obtained from C. sinensis, with 35.08 % and 76.68 % d-limonene, respectively, were used to evaluate the effect of the d-limonene concentration on antioxidant potential. Studies showed that d-limonene and C. karna essential oil have a similar antioxidant potential (39.6 and 38.3 %, respectively). C. sinensis oils A and B showed only 10.5 % and 30 % antioxidant potential, respectively, indicating the possible role of d-limonene in antioxidant activity.

Abbreviations

BHA:butylated hydroxyanisole

BHT:butylated hydroxytoluene

FRSA:free radical scavenging activities

RI:retention indices

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Dr. Swadesh Malhotra

Nutraceutical & Phytochemistry Division

National Botanical Research Institute

(Council of Scientific & Industrial Research)

Rana Pratap Marg

Lucknow - 226001

UP

India

Phone: +91-522-220-5831-35, extn 287, 354

Fax: +91-522-220-5836

Email: malhotra54@rediffmail.com