CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The
Citrus sinensis popularly known as
sweet orange seed in Igbo of Nigeria is of the Rutaceae family. The seed is best sown in a greenhouse as soon as
it is ripe after thoroughly rinsing it, sow stored seed in March in a
greenhouse, germination usually takes place within 2-3 weeks at 130C.
seedlings are liable to damp off so they must be watered with care and kept
well ventilated. Citrus sinensis
Contains a wide range of active ingredients
and research is still underway in finding uses for them. They are rich in
vitamin c, flavonoids, acids and volatile oils. They also contain coumarins
such as bergapten which sensitizes the skin to sunlight. Bergapten is sometimes
added to tanning preparations since it promotes pigmentation in the skin,
though it can cause dermatitis or allergy responses in some people. Some of the
plants more recent applications are as sources of anti-oxidants and chemical exfoliants
in spercified cosmetics. The fruit is an appetizer and blood purifier, it is
used to allay thirst in people with fever and also treat catarrh. The fruit
juice is useful in treatment of bilious infections and bilious diarrhea. The
fruit rind is caminative and tonic cure for acne. The dried peel is used in the
treatment of anorexia, cold cough etc.
1.1 AIMS
AND OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH
1. To screen the coat and seed of Citrus sinensis for the presence of
phyhtochemicals of interest
To
determine the antifungal/antibacterial activities of the seed and coat of Citrus sinensis
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.0
SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION KINGDOM: PLANTAE
(Unranked) - Angiosperm
(Unranked) - Eudicot
(Unranked) - Rosids
Order - Sapindales
Family - Rutaceae
Genus - Citrus
Species - C.
xsinensis
Bionomial
na,e - Citrus Sinensis
The research into phytochemical and
antimicrobial screening of active compounds from natural source has always been
of great interest for scientists looking for new sources of useful drugs
against infection and diseases [1].
Plants are indispensable sources of
medicinal importance used in both western type pharmaceutical products and
local medicinal preparations. The traditional use of plants materials for
treatment of human ailment dates back to prehistoric times [2] according to the
world health organizations 80% of the world population relies on traditional
medicines to meet their daily health
requirements[3]. However, from the estimated 250 000 species of higher
plants described to date, only 5-15% have been studied for their potential
therapeutic value[4].
Ethiopia is a tropical country with a
high floral diversity and endermism[5]. According to [6], there are about 700
species of higher plants of which 12% are endemic, more than 80% of the
Ethiopian population depends on traditional remedies[7] the nation wide use of
plants as a sole source of traditional medicine provides promising
opportunities for the search of ethnobotanical specimens based on traditional
knowledge.
Several researchers have studied the
ethnobotanical [8] phytochemical[9] and antimicrobial activities[10] of a
variety of medicinal plants.
1.3 ORIGIN
AND DESCRIPTION
The
orange is unknown in the wild state; its assumed to have originated in Southern
China. Northeastern India and perhaps Southeastern Asia (formally Indochina).
It was carried to the mediterenian area possibly by Italian traders after 1450
of by Portuguese navigators around 1500. Up to that era citrus fruits were
valued by Europeans mainly for medicinal purposes, but orange was quickly
adopted as a luscidious fruit and wealthy persons grow it in private
conservations, called orangeries. By 1646, it had been much publicized and was
well known.
The orange has become the most
commonly grown fruit in the world. It is an important crop in the far east, the
union of South Africa, Australia, throughout the Mediteranian area and sub
tropical areas of South America and the Caribbean. The United States leads in
the world production, with Florida, alone, having an annual yield of more than
200 million boxes, except when freezes occur which may reduce the crop by 20 or
even 40%.
1.4 MORPHOLOGY
ASPECT OF THE Citrus sinensis
The
orange tree, reaching 25 ft (7.5m) or with great ages up to 50ft (15m) has a
rounded crown of slender branches. The twigs are twisted and angled when young
and may bear slender semi-flexible, bluntish spines in the leaf axils. There
may be faint or conspicuous wings on the petioles of aromatic evergreen,
alternate elliptic to ovate, sometimes faintly toothed “leaves” - technically
solitary leaflets of compound leaves. These are 21/2 to
6m (6.5-15cm) long 1 to 33/4 in (2.5 – 9.5cm) wide. Brone
singly or in clusters of 2 to 6, the sweetly fragrant white flowers, about 2 in
(5cm) wide, have a saucer-shaped, 5 pointed calyx and 5 oblong, white petals,
and 20 to 25 stamens with conspicuous yellow anthers. The fruit is subglobose
oblate or some what oval, 21/2 to 33/4
in (6.5-9.5cm) wide. Dotted with minute glands containing an essential oil, the
outer ring (epicarp) is orange or yellow when ripe, the inner ring (mesocarp)
is white spongy and nonaromatic, the pulp (endocarp) yellow, orange or more
less red, the sweet orange differs physically from sour orange in having a solid center.
1.5 GENERAL
USES AND IMPORTANCE
Seeds and coat of the Citrus sinensis
It
is a sunny and radiant oil bringing happiness and warmth to the mind and helps
people to relax and helps children to sleep at night.
Orange oil can be used effectively in
immune system, as well as for colds and flu and to eliminate toxins from the
body. It is a good diuretic and is most useful in balancing water retention and
obesity. Its lymphatic stimulant action further helps to balance well-being.
For the digestive system, orange oil can help with constipation, dyspepsia and
as a general tonic, it is also useful in cases of nervous tension and stress.
Vapour therapy
In
vapour therapy, orange oil can help with colds and flu, nervous tension and
stress and helps to create a feeling of happiness and warmth, while helping
children fall asleep at night.
Blended massage oil and in a bath as a
blended oil or added to a bath , it assists with colds and flu eliminate toxins
boost.