# Citrus reticulata Blanco: A Review on Chemical Composition and Biological Activities

## TL;DR

This review summarizes the chemical makeup and health benefits of Citrus reticulata, highlighting its potential for use in medicine and industry.

## Contribution

The paper compiles recent data on the chemical and biological properties of Citrus reticulata, emphasizing its therapeutic and industrial potential.

## Key findings

- Citrus reticulata peels are rich in monoterpenes like limonene and flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- The essential oil from the fruit shows larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and action against Leishmania amazonensis.
- The peel contains metabolites with potential applications in food, cosmetics, and insecticides.

## Abstract

This review compiled data on the chemical composition and biological activities of Citrus reticulata (Rutaceae) from 49 articles published between 2014 and 2024 in the Science Direct, PubMed, and SciELO databases. The fruit peel stands out for its abundance of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, especially limonene (up to 85.7%), and methoxylated flavonoids such as nobiletin, tangeretin, and hesperidin, which are known for their antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. The essential oil demonstrated larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and action against Leishmania amazonensis. It is concluded that the peel is rich in metabolites with high therapeutic and industrial potential, and further studies are recommended on mechanisms of action and applications in food, cosmetics, insecticides, and fertilizers.

This review compiles chemical information and biological activities from 49 studies on Citrus reticulata. The fruit peels stand out for their high content of methoxylated monoterpenes and flavonoids with antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. The essential oil exhibits larvicidal and leishmanicidal action, suggesting potential therapeutic and industrial applications.