The boon of nature - citrus: An overview Sharma Neerja1,*, Kumar Rakesh2 1ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra, (SKUAST - Jammu) Samba, 184121, Jammu and Kashmir, India 2Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu, 180009, Jammu and Kashmir, India *Email for correspondence: neerja1975@gmail.com
Online Published on 26 October, 2023. Abstract Citrus is the most common cultivated fruit in the world as well as in India. Citrus fruits are not only refreshing and delicious but are also very rich in vitamin C. Apart from this, citrus fruits are good source of minerals like calcium, phosphorous and iron. Citrus fruits are taken fresh as well as in processed form. A wide range of bioactive substances have already been identified in foods and drinks. Lime has different medicinal properties like anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammation, anti-lipidemia and anti-oxidant properties. Its secondary metabolites are alkaloids, carotenoids, coumarins, essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic acids and triterpenoids. It is used against breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and lymphoma. Sweet orange contains important phytochemicals like limonoids, synephrine, hesperidin, flavonoid, polyphenols, pectin and sufficient amount of folacin, calcium, potassium, thiamine, niacin and magnesium. Its sugars, acids, carotenoids, polyphenols, limonoids and vitamins determine the flavour of the fruit. In the present review, brief description of different species and their nutritive and medicinal values have been discussed to provide collective information about citrus. Top Keywords Citrus, Nutritional properties, Medicinal properties, Species. Top |