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How much quercetin is in a lemon?

[15] found the amount of quercetin in lemon flesh (56.16 mg Eq Quercetin/g dry weight) was higher than in peel (27.50 mg Eq Quercetin/g dry weight).

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Citrus fruits are eaten as fresh goods and juice throughout the world. Peel is discarded as waste containing many secondary components with significant antioxidant activity related to other fruit portions [ 8 ]. In recent years, flavonoids such as polymethoxy flavones (PMFs), which are present in citrus fruits, have been attracted growing attention by their antioxidants [ 9 ] and anti-cancer properties [ 10 ]. Various bioactive compounds in citrus peel extract and powder may reduce overall cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and glucose levels [ 11 ]. Citrus by-products produce a range of value-added products, including essential oils, pectin, enzymes, single-cell collagen, natural antioxidants, ethanol, organic acids, and prebiotics. Orange, lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit contained essential oils show antifungal activity upon the fungi A. niger , A. flavus, P. chrysogenum, and P. verrucosum. The essential oil may be regarded as acceptable for the food industry as alternatives to chemicals [ 12 ]. Pectin extracted from Citrus peel is used in various industrial food processes as gelling agents, including jam, jellies, and as thickener, texturizer, emulsifier, and stabilizer in dairy products. Pectin is also used to jellify properties in the pharmaceutical, dental, and cosmetic industries [ 13 ]. Therefore, this chapter highlighted the nutritional values of major essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, carotenoids and vitamin A, Folate, Dietary fiber, flavonoids, and limonoids, as well as value-added products such as food ingredients, pectin, essential oil, enzymes, a natural antioxidant, and packaging film retrieved from citrus especially lemon and pomelo fruit. Citrus fruits also provide the most potent source of vitamins C and B (thiamines, pyridoxines, niacins, riboflavin, pantothenic acids, and folate). The fruit also leads to the use of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and limonoids [ 1 ]. Citrus phytochemicals contain antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-carcinogenic, anti-thrombotic, or anti-inflammatory agents [ 4 ]. Several studies have proposed citrus fruit evaluation as a healthy and delicious diet [ 5 ]. Prior research suggested that citrus and citrus products are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers [ 6 ]. However, the bioactive and non-nutrient compounds in citrus are appreciated to reduce the risk of various chronic diseases [ 7 ]. Citrus is an evergreen shrub that belongs to the Rutaceae family from South Asia, China, India and the Malay Archipelago, which is native to the subtropical and tropical regions of Asian regions [ 1 ]. The genus of citrus includes sweet orange ( C. sinensis : 61.1 % of world citrus production), tangerine ( C. reticulata : 19.9 %), limon and lime (C. limon and C. aurantifolia : 12.1 %) and grapefruit ( C. paradisi : 5%). Minor types of citrus, which constitute much of the remaining 2.0%, include sour orange ( C. quarantium ), shaddocks ( C. grandis ), citrus ( C. medica ), which seem to be promising sources for many beneficial human nuts [ 2 ]. Citrus fruit is divided into two sections like peel and flesh ( Figure 1 ). Peel is made from epicarp or flavedo (colored peripheral surface) and mesocarp or albedo (white soft middle layer). The peel (60–65%), internal tissues (30–35%), and seeds (0–10%) comprise citrus fruits [ 3 ]. Citrus fruits provide carbohydrates, such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose mostly. Fresh citrus fruits are also an immeasurable source of dietary fiber associated with gastrointestinal disease prevention and lowered circulating cholesterol. Citrus fruits also have a distinct aroma and delicious taste along with low protein and fat content. Pomelo is one of the most commonly grown and eaten citrus fruits and orange, mandarin, lemon, and grapefruit [ 19 ]. Pomelo ( Table 1 ) is a promising source of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, vitamins and minerals originating in warm tropical climates in south-eastern Asia [ 20 ]. The presence of bioactive (carotenoids, lycopene, polyphenols, flavonoids, limonoids, fiber and vitamin C) contributes to their protection against oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and high blood pressure. Due to its essential health promotion properties, pomelo segments in food products are growing in importance in producing functional foods [ 21 ]. Pomelo is eaten fresh or made into juice [ 19 ], or pomelo fortified noodles help the diabetic population [ 21 ]. On the other hand, researchers have investigated alternative ways of restoring pomelo peels to the advantage of value-added products such as pectin, essential oils, polysaccharides, phytochemicals [ 19 ]. Production of juice and consumption of fresh fruit create large quantities of agricultural waste. The main components of wet Pomelo Peel waste, like other citrus fruits, include water, cellulose and hemicellulose, soluble sugars, lipids (mainly D-limonene), and bioactive compounds (i.e., polyphenols, mostly flavonoids). Lemon ( Citrus limon L. from Rutaceae ) is one of the most common globally and ranks third among the Citrus species globally by 4,200,000 metric tons after orange and mandarin [ 14 ]. Lemon fruits typically consist of three parts: pulp, skins (albedo and flavedo), and seeds. It offers an extensive supply of natural compound products such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, minerals, flavonoids and essential oils [ 15 ]. Lemon bioactive compounds like flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber ( Table 1 ), and essential oils are used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Most by-products of the lemon juice industry can provide functional foods with nutritional substances such as non-digestible carbohydrates, dietary fiber and bioactive (flavonoids and ascorbic acid). Lemon fruits can function against photo-oxidamage because carotenoids exist. Lemon fruit, rich in flavonoids, has a significant role in the healthy diet, particularly in preventing diseases such as obesity, diabetes, lowering blood lipids, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer [ 18 ]. The citrus fruits used for direct consumption or converted into juices, jam, jelly, molasses, lemoncello beverage and more in addition to the lemon skin are added value products such as pectins, essential oil and functional ingredients [ 12 , 18 ].

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3. Nutritional values of citrus fruits

Citrus has many natural plant compounds such as vitamin C, carotenoids (some can convert to vitamin A), folic acid, flavonoids, and fiber. Table 2 shows the amount of vitamin and mineral consumption in lemon and pomelo fruits. Vitamin C Vitamin A Folate Fiber Oranges 53-88 mg 17 μg 30 μg 2.4 g Children under 9 y (%) 213-589 3-6 15-20 10-13 Persons 9+ y 59-195 2-4 8-10 6-11 Pregnant/Lactating women 44-110 2-3 5-6 8-9 Grapes 31-61 mg 58 μg 13 μg 1.6 g Children under 9 y 125-244 12-15 7-9 6-8 Persons 9+ 35-135 6-10 3-4 4-8 Pregnant/lactating women 26-76 4-8 2-3 6 Tangerines 27-72 mg 46-144 μg 16 μg 1.8 g Children under 9 107-480 9-36 8-11 7-9 Persons 9+ 30-160 5-24 4-5 5-9 Pregnant/lactating women 21-90 4-19 3-4 6 Lemons/limes 29-61 mg 2-22 μg 11-16 μg 1.8-2.8 g Children under 9 116-407 0.4-6 4-7 11-15 Persons 9+ 32-135 0.2-4 2-4 9-13 Pregnant/lactating women 24-76 0.2-3 1-2 10 Table 2. The number of nutrients and the percent of the recommended daily allowance or adequate intake met from the consumption of 100 g of selected citrus fruit [22]. 3.1 Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) Citrus is a valuable source of vitamin C. By consuming a moderate amount of citrus fruits each day, an individual can achieve 100 percent Vitamin C level. Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin essential for the body’s defense [22]. It is transmitted through muscle fibers, carnitine biosynthesis, neurotransmitters, collagen, and bones because these particles connect the fibers. The immune system can be effectively stimulated by consuming vitamin C, which boosts white blood cells [23]. When Vitamin C is taken for pregnancy, it can decrease pre-eclampsia risk [24]. Some studies indicate that vitamin C supplementation can reduce the severity of colds symptoms or duration [23]. Anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C could reduce the risk of artery stiffening and cardiovascular diseases [25]. Above 200 mg of vitamin C daily is a healthy intake, and citrus fruits are a huge source of this vitamin. Lemon provides 37 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g of fruit [16]. Pomelos have 52.3 mg of ascorbic acid in 100 g of the flesh [26]. 3.2 Carotenoids and Vitamin A There are many types of carotenoids, including terpenes responsible for pigments commonly found in plants, and there are about 600 carotenoids in foods and 50 in human bodies [27, 28]. The highest carotenoid levels, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and vitamin A, are found in fruits and vegetables, including orange and carotene. Benefits of carotenoids in foods include improving immune function, promoting bone formation, promoting eye health, and maintaining visual quality [22]. There is a large amount of data supporting that carotenoids reduce the risk of cancer, macular degeneration, cataracts, skin damage to the sun, and cardiovascular diseases [29]. Higher consumption of β-carotene is linked to a lower breast cancer risk [30]. Beta carotene, lycopene, or lutein may decrease the rate of UV-induced lipid peroxidation in human skin fibroblast cells [30]. Lutein is inversely related to colorectal cancer in both men and women [31]. The levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene in the lemon and pomelo, were around 2.95, 0.81, 0.81 and 10.3 (μg/g, db), respectively [32]. The content of carotenoids in pummelos’ peel was 0.012-0.015 mg/gdb [33]. 3.3 Folate (folic acid) Folic acid, which is a water-soluble vitamin, and its derivatives are collectively called folate or folacin. The most notable folate compounds in Citrus are the reduced 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (monoglutamate) and polyglutamate compounds [34]. Folate plays a vital role in DNA, which is involved in homocysteine regulation and protein production primarily through the methylation transfer reactions [22]. Because there is a high DNA production during pregnancy, a folate deficiency is significantly linked to birth defects such as neural tube defects [35]. Lack of folic acid caused higher levels of homocysteine, raising heart disease and atherosclerosis [22]. Previous studies show that citrus fruits’ daily consumption can help improve folate levels, which will subsequently decrease blood homocysteine (tHcy), thus reducing cardiovascular disorder and neural tube defects [36]. Citrus is a parallel source of dietary folate that can help to cover up to 10% to 20% of the recommended daily allowance of adults, children, and infants with a consumption of 100 g of citrus fruits. The consumption of citrus fruit is an easy way to obtain vitamin C and dietary folate, which is vital for absorption in the body. Lemon, a citrus fruits representative, has eleven to sixteen micrograms of Folate in 100 grams [22]. According to El-Otmani and Ait-Oubahou [37] Citrus limon contained 11mg of folic acid per 100 g of citrus.

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3.4 Dietary fibre The fiber is found in vegetables and fruits cannot be digested and absorb in the small intestine. There are two kinds of dietary fiber; soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fibers are highly fermentable and connected with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, while soluble fibers contribute to fecal bulk and reduce transit time [34]. Although pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose comprise the most abundant dietary fiber on the plants, they also contain only trace amounts of lignin. Pectin is citrus’ primary fiber, which occurs primarily in citrus peels and rinds. Consumption of citrus fruit can contribute significant quantities of pectin in a diet. Dietary incorporation of pectin appears to affect several metabolic and digestive processes; principal interest affects glucose absorption and cholesterol level [38, 39]. There is a significant benefit in consuming citrus fruit because of its pectin content. Dietary incorporation of pectin appears to have many implications for metabolic, digestive, and health affairs. One way fiber can reduce colon cancer is by diluting and trapping the harmful chemicals in the colon from bile-absorption and bile-excretion [34]. Scientific studies have proven that fiber can help promote laxation and satiety, the uptake and reabsorption of glucose, fat, cholesterol, and bile acids, thereby lessening heart disease risk and possibly enhancing healthy intestinal microbial fermentation [40, 41]. Citrus fruits significantly reduce cholesterol levels depending on the esterification degree of fiber consumption, viscosity, and molecular mass [22]. A fiber-rich diet has a low risk of deadly chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, weight, and cancer and lowers cholesterol levels and blood sugar [42]. Several epidemiological studies reported that citrus peel support reducing plasma liver cholesterol, total serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride levels, and total liver lipids [43].

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