Limonin is a bitter component found in citrus fruits:
1. Basic Information
Name: Lemon Picricetin, English name Limonin, also known as Phellodendron Bark Lactone, Wuzhu Lactone.
Molecular formula: C26H30O8
Molecular weight: 470.53
CAS Code: 1180-71-8
Properties: Pure product is white crystalline, bitter taste. It also often exists in the form of yellowish brown or light yellow or white fine powder.
Extract source: Mainly extracted from the seeds of citrus, grapefruit, lemon, orange, also exists in the peel but the content is less.
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
Solubility: citrinin is soluble in ester organic solvents, insoluble in water, but in methanol, ethanol solubility is greater.
Melting point: 298°C.
Stability: If used and stored in accordance with specifications, it will not decompose and has no known dangerous reactions, but oxides need to be avoided.
3. Biological Activity and Efficacy
Anti-cancer activity: Lemon Picricetin has been shown to be effective in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, inhibiting the growth of a variety of cancer cell lines, including leukemia cells, cervical cancer cells, breast cancer cells, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Its anti-cancer mechanism may be related to the activation of glutathione transferase activity, the enzyme can inhibit the carcinogenic effect of chemical carcinogens.
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects: experimental studies have shown that lemon bitterin has obvious analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Anxiolytic and sedative effects: lemon bitterin analogs can prolong the sleep time of mice induced by certain drugs, showing a certain anxiolytic and sedative effects.
Insecticidal activity: Citraconidin analogs are active against insects and termites, and therefore have the potential to be developed into natural biological insecticides.
Other effects: Citrulline also has antioxidant activity, antimicrobial properties, inhibition of HIV, lower cholesterol, obvious diuretic effect, improve cardiovascular circulation and improve sleep, regulation of cytochromes and other biological activities.
In addition, there are studies showing that lemon bitter pigment has neuroprotective effect and anti-obesity effect.
4. Application
Functional food additives: lemon bitter pigment can be used as functional food additives, used in the production of anti-cancer food.
Insecticide: Due to its insecticidal activity, lemon bitterin can be developed into a natural and non-toxic biopesticide.
Feed additives: lemon bitterin can also be used as feed additives.