Botanical of Citrus
Citrus is a genus from family Rutaceae which containing 130 genera with several important varieties, Citrus is an evergreen aromatic shrub or small trees native to South-East Asia, but now cultivated in subtropical and temperate region all over the world; Around 70% of the world’s total citrus production is grown in the Northern Hemisphere, in particular, Mediterranean region and the United States, although Brazil and South Africa in Southern Hemisphere. Global citrus production reaches to 124.25 million ton in 2016 China ranking as the biggest producer of citrus followed by Brazil, India, USA, Spain, Mexico, Egypt, Iran, and South Africa [3].
Citrus fruit divided into different groups [1] as follow:
a. Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L.): including Common orange, Navel orange, Blood orange, and Valencia orange.
b. Sour orange (Citrus aurantium): bitter orange and their varieties
c. Mandarin and Tangerine (Citrus reticulata of Swingle) or (Citrus deliciosa of Tanaka): this group are category of easyto- peel citrus, involves varieties with yellow and orange peel, like Satsuma mandarin, Dancy tangerine, some varieties may ripen as early as December such as Clementine and satsuma mandarin, however, late varieties may be harvested at August or September as Murcott and Pixie mandarins.
d. Lemon (Citrus limon): Fruits mature throughout year, this group including Eureka, Lisbon and Meyer lemon.
e. Lime (Citrus aurantifolia): including Mexican lime, Indian lime, Tahitian lime, Bearss lime, and key lime, the fruit mature all-over the year.
f. Other kinds: like Citron, Kumquat, and Pomelos.
These citrus fruits are the precious resource of phytochemicals which are beneficial for the human body as vital bioactive medicines, Phytochemicals are naturally present in citrus juices and play a role in physiological functions and metabolic change of human body [4], also, Citrus fruits and juice has a unique value of essential nutrients, and these nutrients protect against several chronic diseases [5]. Citrus has potential health benefits like antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antiviral and anticancer, besides that, Citrus juice contains a lower amount of cholesterol that helps for diabetes patients
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