BASKETFUL BENEFIT OF CITRUS LIMON

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Chaturvedi Dev et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2016, 7 (6)
1
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY
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Review Article
BASKETFUL BENEFIT OF CITRUS LIMON
Chaturvedi Dev *, Shrivastava Rishi Raj Suhane Nidhi
Daksh Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Chhatarpur (M.P.), India
*Corresponding Author Email: chaturvedidev44@gmail.com
Article Received on: 26/04/16 Revised on: 17/05/16 Approved for publication: 28/05/16
DOI: 10.7897/2230-8407.07653
ABSTRACT
Citrus lemon is most important fruit in all over world. Citrus limon is well known nutritional and medicinal property. All part of citrus limon is used
as a traditional medicine. Citrus limon belong to the family rutaceae. The main characteristic of lemon plant is thorny branches and white flowers with
purple edges. Major medicinal property of Citrus limon include anti-cancer activity, Prevent kidney stones, Bring down a fever, Balance pH.
Phytochemically in whole plant contain citral, limonene, terpineol, geranyl acetate, linalyl.
KEY WORDS: Cit rus limon, anti-cancer, lemon
INTRODUCTION
Lemon (Citrus × limon) is a hybrid of the plant genus Citrus, as
well as the common name of the popular edible fruit of this
small tree. The citrus fruit known in ancient times in Europe
since the lemon (Citrus limon), lime (Citrus × auantiifolia),
pomelo (Citrus maxima) and bit- ter orange (Citrus × aurantium
L.) were all introduced in Europe by the Muslims via the Sicily
and Iberian Peninsula.1 The main characteristic of lemon plant is
thorny branches and white flowers with purple edges, the acidic,
juicy fruit is oval (shaped like egg), has an aromatic rind that is
yellow when ripe (green as immature and under certain
environmental conditions), and has a prominent bulge or nipple
on the blossom end.
Lemon is an important medicinal plant of the Rutaceae family
that originated in tropical and subtropical Southeast Asia.2 It has
a distinctive berry with its internal parts divided into segments.
It is cultivated mainly for alkaloids, which show anticancer
activities and the antibacterial activities in crude extracts of
different parts (viz., stem, root, leaves, and flower) of Lemon
against clinically significant in bacterial strains.3 Other
members of the Citrus genus include citrons, oranges, limes,
pomelos (pummelo, pommelo), grapefruit, and mandarins
(tangerines). Most members of the genus Citrus arose as
hybrids, and the types of hybridized of citrus, such as lemon
(Citrus limon), may or may not be recognized as species
according to different taxonomies.4,5
Lemon peel contained crude fibres (15.18%), crude fat (4.98%),
and protein (9.42%). Ash content of lemon peel is 6.26%.6
Lemon juice is about 5% acid, which gives lemons a sour taste
and pH of 2 to 3.
A lemon tree can grow up to 10 meter (33 feet), but they are
usually smaller. The branches form an open crown and are
thorny. The leaves are green, elliptical-acuminate and shiny.
Flowers have a strong fragrance and are white on the outside
with a violet streaked interior. On a lemon tree, flowers and
fruits can be found at the same time.
Lemon and lime trees should not be grown in cooler winter
areas, because they are more sensitive to winter cold than other
citrus fruits. The largest producer’s places are Italy and the
United States. Lemons are commercially grown in cooler-
summer or moderate-winter coastal Southern California in the
United States, since sweetness is neither attained nor expected in
retail lemon fruit. Other top producing nations include Greece,
Spain and Argentina.
Table 1: Botanical classificatio n of limon7
Kingdom
Plantae
Plants
Subkingdom
Tracheobionta
Vascular plants
Superdivision
Spermatophyta
Seed plants
Division
Magnoliophyta
Flowering plants
Class
Magnoliopsida
Dicotyledons
Subclass
Rosidae
-
Order
Sapindales
-
Family
Rutaceae
Rue family
Genus
Citrus L.
citrus P
Table 2: Indian synonyms of lemon8
Language
Name
Sanskrit
Jambira, Maha Nimbu
Bengali
Patinebu, Kagghinebu, Baranebu
English
Lemon
Hindi
Nimbu, Bara Nimbu, Pakari Nimbu
Kannada
Nimbe, Lime hannu, Nimbe hannu
Punjabi
Nimbu
Urdu
Limu, Neebu
Table 3: International synonyms of Lemon
Country
Name
French
Citron
German
Zitrone
Italian
Limone
Japanese
Remon
Romanian
Lămâi (tree), Lămâie (fruit)
Russian
Limon
Serbian
Limun
Spanish
Limón
Thai
Manao farang, Ma nao leung, Som saa

Chaturvedi Dev et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2016, 7 (6)
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Table 4: Different species of le mon
C. medica cedar
Cedrat Lemon
C. Javanica
C. medica acida
C. medica
C. Limetta
C. margarita
C. Lumia
Table 5: Different variety of lemon9
S.N.
Variety
Characteristics
1
The Avon
First grown in Florida and used
primarily for frozen concentrate
2
The Baboon
A bright yellow Brazilian variety
with a flavour similar to lime
3
The Bearss
Which is large and rich in oil, is also
known as the "Sicily", and similar to
the "Lisbon”
4
The Berna
Spain's leading lemon, is a medium-
sized fruit
5
The Cameron
Highlands
A small, round lemon with pale green
flesh and many sees was discovered
in the Cameron Highlands of
Malaysia where it grew wild.
HISTORY
The lemon was firstly introduced into southern Italy in 200 A.D.
and spread to Iraq and Egypt by 700 A.D. Lemon was
throughout widely distributed the Mediterranean region by
1000-1150 A.D. and was cultivated in China approximately
760-1297 A.D. Lemon was introduce in the Spanish to the
Island of Hispaniola in 1493 and sometime the first settlement
of St. Augustine, Florida. Lemon was introduced into California
in 1751-1768.10 Lemons were originally developed as a cross
between the citron and the lime. Lemons are thought to have
originated in China or India, cultivated in these regions for about
2,500 years. The major productions of lemons today are the
United States, Turkey, Israel, Italy, Spain and Greece. Lemons
originated in Himalaya near the North Eastern India. In 1493,
the first lemon trees in America planted by the Italian Navigator
Christopher Columbus.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
It is indigenous to North India, but cultivated on a very large
scale in countries like Sicily, Italy and Spain. It is also cultivated
in India, Florida and California. In India, the cultivation is
carried out in U.P., M.P., Punjab and Karnataka. 6
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Lemon grows on thorny, small trees which reaches a height of
10 - 20 feet. The colours of leaves of the lemon are dark green.
Leaves are arranged alternately on the stem. The lemon has a
fragrant, white flower with five petals. This specific flower
comes from a lemon cultivar called ‘Pink Lemonade’. The fruit
is striped and the leaves of this cultivar are variegated. The
lemon fruit colour range is from greenish yellow to bright
yellow. Lemons seem very similar to limes, but are yellow when
ripe, where limes are green and lemons tend to be a little
larger. 7
Leaves
Leaves 6.5 to 100 mm, serrulate, acute to acuminate. Leaf
jointed to the petiole. Petiole narrowly winged. Leaf blade
elliptic to ovate, 8-14×4-6 cm, apex usually mucronate, margin
conspicuously crenulate.
Figure 1: www.growfruitandveg.co.uk
Fruit
Fruits are ovoid or globose, berry, hesperidium, and yellow
when ripe.11 Fruits belonging to the citrus group are called as
“hesperidium,". Fruit shape can change as the fruit matures or
the trees get older and are also largely governed by variety
choice. Fruit size is influenced by variety, crop load, rootstock
and irrigation practices. Mature lemons turn green to yellow,
weigh about 50- 80 g in weight and measure about 5-8 cm in
diameter.
Figure 2: images5.fanpop .com
Flowers
Flowers male or bisexual. Petals white and tinged purple.
Stamens 20-30; Fruit oblong or ovoid mamillate, yellow when
ripe; pulp strongly acid and abundant.
Figure 3: pre14.devia ntart.net
Seed
Seeds of lemon nestle within the pulp near the center of each
fruit. Their size and numbers vary according to variety, but most
are white, wrinkled, hard, oval or elliptical and measure about
3/8inch long. 12

Chaturvedi Dev et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2016, 7 (6)
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Figure 4: 2.bp.blogspot .com
POLLINATION
A lemon flower’s stigma must receive pollen which contains the
flower’s sperm. More specifically, the pollen grains sperm must
be transferred to the stigma, which found the top and the longer
column in the middle of the flower. Lemon trees can be easily
grown in open area in warmer climate. Lemon trees can be
growing in pots in cooler region. Pollen was characterized by a
very different emission profile with respect to other parts of
flower. The trans-nerolidol (30.7%) is the main volatile detected
in pollen.13
PHYTOCONSTITUENT
The fruit juice mainly contains fruit acids, mainly citric acid
(8%) and sugars. Lemon peel consists of two layers: The outer
layer (pericarp, zest) contains an essential oil (6%), which is
composed of citral (5%) plus traces of citronellal and limonene
(90%), α-terpineol, geranyl acetate and linalyl. The inner layer
(mesocarp), in the other word, contains no essential oil but a
variety of coumarin derivatives and bitter flavone glycosides. It
also contains a very little potash, sugar and gum. An imitation
lemon juice has been prepared by dissolving tartaric acid into
water, then adding sulphuric acid and flavouring with oil of
Lemon. Oil of Lemon is dextrogyre. This contains 7 to 8% of
citral, an aldehyde yielding geraniol upon reduction, a small
amount of citronellal and pinene8
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILE14
Prevent kidney stones- Citrate levels in the urine raises by
drinking one half-cup of lemon juice every day. In studies lemon
juice shown that this could protect against calcium stones in the
kidney.
Soothe a sore throat- Honey mixing with lemon juice can help
alleviate and discomfort to treat nasty sore throat.
Support weight loss- Ancient time the old notion that the
Master Cleanse was the only way lose weight with the help of
lemons. New studies have shown the ways lemon juice supports
weight loss. Lemon juice contains pectin, a soluble fibre which
shown weight-loss.
Start your day right- Leave caffeinated drinks behind, and
stimulation of digestive track by the using fresh lemon juice and
hot water and add vitamin C.
Stop an itch -When it comes to insect bites or poison ivy, lemon
juice rubbing on the area can soothe the skin. Lemon juice show
anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic effects.
Anticancer properties- Studies have supported the citrus
liminoids show anticancer activity, compounds that protect cells
from damage which is the formation of cancer cells.
Potassium power- Lemons contain 80 milligrams of vitamin C
mineral. Vitamin C with Bananas that helps your body stay
strong and nimble.
Bring down a fever- Drinking a lemon juice mixture can help
bring your fever down faster. When body temperature goes up.
Balance pH -While lemons may seem quite acidic, lemon is
good source of an alkaline food that can help balance pH of
body.
MEDICINAL USE OF LEMON
· Blood Purifier
· Blood Sugar Balance
· Osteoporosis
· Insomnia
· Brain and Nerve Food
· Asthma
· Nausea, Vomiting and Travel Sickness
· Rheumatism, Arthritis and Bone-Related Diseases
· Acne, Spots and Pimples
· Treat Throat Infections
TRADITIONAL USES15
· The intake of lemon juice and honey is one of the key health
benefits associated with Weight loss.
· Lemon juice has a wide property of skin benefits. Lemon
juice is rich in Vitamin C can helps in lightening the skin.
· Lemon juice also used by people suffered with UTI (Urinary
Tract Infection) problem, it can help flush high level of uric
acid.
· Mixture of lemon juice and olive oil to cure gall bladder
stones and kidney stones.
· Lemon juice is also used for liver stimulant, controls nausea
and relieves heartburns and irritable bowel syndrome.
DISHES CONTAINING LEMON9
· Lemon curd
· Lemon syrup
· Lemon-Garlic soup
· Sour mix
· Lemonade
· Pink Lemonade Popsicles
STRANGE FACT
· Nutritionally, the lemon constitutes potassium, a mineral
that support in normalizing blood pressure, promotes clear
thinking and works with sodium to regulate the water
balance in the body.
· Add the equal amount of one lemon juice and hot water for
an anti-bacterial gargle.
· Lemons prevent scurvy because of high amount of Vitamin
C, a disease that causes aching joints, loose teeth and
bleeding gums.
· Acne scars, marks are embarrassing and pain treated by the
citric acid which is present in lemon juice.
· Lemon juice gives shine on faces.
· Lemon juice also stimulates the metabolism.

Chaturvedi Dev et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2016, 7 (6)
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Table 6: Nutritional Value11
Elements
Amount
Sodium (Na)
0.83
Water
92%
Potassium (K)
0.24
Magnesium (Mg)
0.59
Zinc (Zn)
0.15
Protein
9.42
Vitamin C
38.7 mg
Phosphorus (P)
0.11
Fibre
15.18
Fat
4.98
Calcium (Ca)
0.32
Copper (Cu)
0.22
Iron (Fe)
0.54
CONCLUSION
Citrus is well known for its nutritional and medicinal value in all
over world. Its plants part are used as a traditional medicine.
According to available literature does not reveal any adverse
effect. Citrus is one of most popular plant in all over world.
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Cite this article as:
Chaturvedi Dev, Shrivastava Rishi Raj Suhane Nidhi. Basketful
benefit of Citrus limon. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2016;7(6):1-4
http://dx.doi.org/10.7897/2230-8407.07653
Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared
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