Pharmacopoeia Analysis of Citrus aurantium L. Ssp. Amara engl. and it’s fixed oil content

Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to take attention to Citrus aurantium L. ssp. amara Engl. (Rutaceae), which grows widely along the Mediterranean in Turkey where it has very limited medicinal usage. The bitter orange fruits/peels were analysed to find out if they are suitable to the standards in European Pharmacopoeia 7.0. The peel and fixed oil were investigated to Figure out the oil quality to apply in medicinal and cosmeceutical preparations. Material/Methods: C. aurantium were collected from different regions of Turkey, various fruit parts and their extracts were evaluated according to the Pharmacopoeia. The essential and fixed oils were obtained from their fruits and seeds, respectively. Seeds were crushed and fixed oil was obtained by cold squeezing. Essential oil yield, index analysis of fixed oil and drog analysis were conducted in compliance with the procedures. Results and Discussion: Evaluation of the peel was found appropriate to the Pharmacopoeia. Aydin, Iskenderun and Mersin regions have been suitable to cultivate valuable medicinally used product. Although C. aurantium has commercial and medicinal value around the world, it has not significant utilization in Turkey. Therefore this study could help recognizing its health benefits. Absolutely, phytochemical content should be taken into account before medicinal using.