Orange essential oil, obtained from glands within the orange rind, has a light and pleasant fragrance. Orange essential oil is used in perfumes and cleaners. Its high safety profile makes it a favorable natural alternative to synthetic chemicals, in some cases. Scientific studies have shown support for a variety of uses of orange essential oil.
Insecticide
Orange essential oil may prove to be an effective insecticide, according to researchers of a study published in the November 2010 issue of the journal "Natural Products Communications." In the study, essential oil from the peels of two species of orange -- pear orange and bitter orange -- were tested against a type of whitefly that transmits plant viruses that damage agricultural crops. Orange oil was up to 99 percent effective at killing the whitefly. The researchers concluded that orange essential oil shows promise for use as an insecticide in the management of whitefly.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Orange oil showed favorable results in a study on anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the study, published in the December 2009 "European Journal of Medical Research," orange oil, eucalyptus oil and Myrtol -- a combination of active components from eucalyptus, lemon and pine -- were tested. Orange oil showed the greatest reduction in inflammation, followed by eucalyptus, then Myrtol. All essential oils tested were effective antioxidants, with the most powerful of the three being Myrtol at 37 percent, and eucalyptus and orange at 22 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
Mites
Three types of Brazilian orange essential oils were effective at killing a type of mite that infests agricultural crops, in a study published in the March 2010 "Natural Products Communications" journal. Scientists tested essential oil extracts from the peels of Citrus sinensis pera, mimo and aurantium. Citrus sinensis mimo produced the highest level of repellency among the orange oils. However, the citrus oils were less effective repellents than eugenol, an essential oil component of plants such as clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and basil. Fumigant activity was higher among the orange oils compared to eugenol.
Aflatoxins
A study published in the June 2010 issue of the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology" showed effective antimicrobial properties for two types of orange against food-contaminating molds and toxins: Citrus maxima Burma and Citrus sinensis Osbeck. The essential oils completely inhibited aflatoxins -- a type of cancer-causing toxin produced by fungi. The orange essential oils also showed potent antioxidant effects against lipid oxidation. The researchers recommended the use of orange essential oils as safe plant-based food preservatives against fungi and to prevent rancidity.
References
- "Natural Products Communications"; Insecticidal Activity Against Bemisia Tabaci Biotype B of Peel Essential Oil of Citrus Sinensis Var. Pear and Citrus Aurantium Cultivated in Northeast Brazil; C. Ribeiro, et al.; 2010
- "European Journal of Medical Research"; Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Myrtol Standardized and Other Essential Oils on Alveolar Macrophages From Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; U. Rantzsch, et al.; 2009
- "Natural Products Communications"; Acaricidal Activity Against Tetranychus Urticae and Chemical Composition of Peel Essential Oils of Three Citrus Species Cultivated in NE Brazil; C.P. Araújo, et al.; 2010
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Chemical Profile, Anti-Fungal, Anti-Aflatoxigenic and Antioxidant Activity of Citrus Maxima Burm and Citrus Sinensis (L.) Osbeck Essential Oils and Their Cyclic Monoterpene, DL-Limonene; P. Singh, et al.; 2010
Member Comments