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International Journal of Molecular Medicine and Advance Sciences

Evaluation of The Phytonutrients and Vitamins Content of Citrus Fruits
D.E. Okwu and I.N. Emenike

Abstract: Phhytochemical studies of five varieties of citrus species; sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), tangerine (Citrus reticulata), lemon (Citrus limonum), lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and grape (Citrus grandis) revealed the presence of bioactive compounds comprising alkaloids (0.33-0.04 mg 100 g 1), flavonoids (0.19-0.57 mg 100 g 1), phenols (0.01-0.42 mg 100 g 1) and tannins (0.01-0.04 mg 100 g 1). These citrus fruits are good sources of water-soluble vitamins: ascorbic acids (19.36-61.60 mg 100 g 1), riboflavin (0.01-0.11 mg 100 g 1), thiamin (0.06-0.12 mg 100 g 1) and niacin (0.03-0.43 mg 100 g 1). These phytonutrients and vitamins may be responsible for the antioxidants, anticancer, anti-inflammatory properties of the citrus species. The citrus spices have their popular use in herbal medicine and as fruits in Nigeria.

How to cite this article
D.E. Okwu and I.N. Emenike , 2006. Evaluation of The Phytonutrients and Vitamins Content of Citrus Fruits. International Journal of Molecular Medicine and Advance Sciences, 2: 1-6.

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