Bioactive compounds in peels of different citrus species: Insights into nutritional value, antioxidant activity, and prospects for valorization


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Authors

  • Prahlad Deb Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal 731 236, India
  • P K Mukherjee Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal 731 236, India
  • P Basak ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
  • P Das Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal 731 236, India
  • R M Sharma ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
  • N Bhowmick Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal 736 165, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i4.170406

Keywords:

Citrus genotypes, Functional products, Phytochemical potential, Rind

Abstract

Citrus fruits are valued globally for their sensory appeal and economic importance and also for their rich repository of health-promoting phytochemicals. While the edible pulp is extensively studied, citrus peel often discarded as waste, possesses a complex profile of nutritionally and functionally important compounds. Present research was aimed to assess the phytochemical diversity and functional potential of citrus peels from 14 genotypes, including both commercially cultivated and region-specific types such as Cleopatra mandarin, Troyer citrange, Satkora, and Karnakhatta. Different citrus fruits were collected from various agro-climatic zones across India, and physic-chemical analysis was conducted in the laboratory during 2023–25 at the Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan. Quantitative analyses revealed wide variability in key parameters including total phenolics (6.97–19.93 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (4.14–12.58 mg QE/g DW), ascorbic acid (72.3–156.0 mg/100g FW), carotenoid content (67.3 – 306.1 µg/g FW) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (47.8–79.3%). Proximate traits such as crude fibre, protein, ash, fat, pectin and essential oil content also varied significantly, indicating species-specific biochemical signatures. Pomelo, Grapefruit and Satkora emerged as superior sources of antioxidants (79.3, 72.6 and 70.4%), while mandarin orange and lemon showed higher pectin (28.4 and 26.5% DW) and fibre content (10.5 and 9.1% DW). Correlation analysis exhibited strong positive association among phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C and antioxidant activity, confirming their synergistic roles. The findings support the valorisation of citrus peel as a sustainable bioresource in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This work fills a critical research gap in comparative phytochemistry of citrus peels in India and underlines their potential in circular bioeconomy and functional product development.

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Author Biographies

  • Prahlad Deb, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal 731 236, India

    Department of Horticulture and Postharvest Technology, 

  • P K Mukherjee, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal 731 236, India

    Department of Horticulture and Postharvest Technology, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan-731236, West Bengal, India

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Submitted

2025-08-18

Published

2026-04-10

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Vol. 96 No. 4 (2026): Preprint Version

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How to Cite

Deb, P., Mukherjee, P. K. ., Basak, P., Das, P., Sharma, R. M., & Bhowmick, N. (2026). Bioactive compounds in peels of different citrus species: Insights into nutritional value, antioxidant activity, and prospects for valorization. The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 96(4). https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i4.170406
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