Vol. 8, Issue 4 (2019)

Author(s):
Sowmya N, N Haraprasad and Hema BP

Abstract:
The peels of citrus fruits contribute 30% of the total fruit weight and yet they have been dumped without recognizing the possible nutritional value of the peels. The present study has been carried out to identify the flavonoid content of the peels of 3 different citrus species, Citrus auriantum, Citrus maxima and Citrus sinensis. The total content of flavonoids was quantitatively determined by using spectrophometric analysis. The quantification of the flavonoid composition in each citrus variety were evaluated and allowed the selection of the best solvent for the extraction of flavonoids. Optimization of flavonoid compounds was conducted using methanolic extract of Citrus maxima peel. It showed the highest concentration of flavonoids ie. 4.3 mg quercetin equivavent/g of extract. An Isocratic reversed-phase HPLC was employed for the quantitative analysis. The solvents used were selective for flavonoid extraction, and depending on their polarity, glycoside or aglycone flavonoids were extracted. The most abundant flavonoids in Citrus maxima peels as shown by HPLC analysis were naringin and naringenin. Naringenin was found to be in higher concentration when compared to naringin in Citrus maxima peel. Since large amount of citrus peels are thrown as waste, the present study suggests their potential use as prophylactic agent in medical field.