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
- 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.