ASSESSMENT OF THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF METHANOLIC OIL EXTRACT FROM UNRIPE PIPS OF CITRUS RETICULATA
Abstract
Despite the well-documented therapeutic properties of the mature seeds and peels of Citrus reticulata (mandarin orange), the potential health benefits of its unripe seeds (pips) remain largely underexplored. This study aims to assess the therapeutic potential of methanolic oil extracts derived from the unripe pips of Citrus reticulata, focusing on their chemical composition and evaluating their antioxidant properties. The extraction was carried out using a Soxhlet apparatus with methanol as the solvent at $64.7^{\circ}C$, followed by physical characterization and extensive phytochemical screening including Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Assay (HRSA), ABTS, and Peroxidase Inhibition. The results revealed an oil yield of 17.87%, with a specific gravity of 1.044 and a density of 1.057. Quantitative analysis demonstrated a high Total Phenolic Content (85.95 mg GAE/100g) and a significant Flavonoid content (46.86 mg/100g). The methanolic extract exhibited strong, concentration-dependent antioxidant activities across all assays, consistently demonstrating lower IC50 values and greater potency in neutralizing free radicals compared to standard ascorbic acid. The study concludes that the methanolic oil extract of unripe Citrus reticulata pips possesses robust antioxidant potential capable of mitigating oxidative stress. It recommends further in-vivo studies and toxicity assessments to validate its safety and efficacy for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
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