Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), also known as citrus seed extract, is a liquid derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit. While there has been no scientific demonstration of efficacy, this extract has been claimed by some practitioners of alternative medicine to possess antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Indeed, it has been recommended by some nutritionists for the treatment of candidiasis, earache, throat infections, and diarrhea. Some natural food retailers claim this extract to be a safe, natural, and an effective preservative. Recent studies have identified synthetic preservatives in commercial grapefruit seed extracts. When preservatives were not present in some of the extracts, laboratory tests found the natural extracts to have little or no natural antimicrobial attributes of their own. An early proponent was Dr. Jacob Harich (1919–1996). Some of the manufacturers of GSE have claimed that their extract has compounds nearly identical to benzethonium chloride but the 2001 study overiewed by chemist G. Takeoka and ran by fellow researchers have documented that commercial GSE preparations contain the synthetic compound benzethonium chloride that couldn't have been made from GSE. Yet, promoters from book authors to cosmetic companies still affirm this extract has strong natural healing properties even though the validity of the studies portray the opposite. A ripe red jalapeño cut open to show the seeds For other uses, see Seed (disambiguation). ... Pulp can refer to: Soft shapeless substances in general. ... Binomial name Citrus paradisi Macfad. ... Herbal extract is a liquid solution of herbs and alcohol. ... It has been suggested that Complementary and Alternative Medicine be merged into this article or section. ... An antiseptic is a substance that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria on the external surfaces of the body. ... Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections. ... An antifungal drug is medication used to treat fungal infections such as athletes foot, ringworm and candidiasis (thrush), as well as serious systemic infections like cryptococcal meningitis. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Otalgia is ear pain or an earache. ... Types 5-7 on the Bristol Stool Chart are often associated with diarrhea Diarrhea (in American English) or diarrhoea (in British English) is a generally unpleasant condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel movements (from the ancient Greek word διαρροή = leakage; literally meaning to run through). Acute infectious... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Look up Study in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A chemist pours from a Florence flask. ... Generally, synthetic means pertaining to synthesis, i. ...

History

The grapefruit is a sub-tropical citrus tree grown for its fruit which was originally named the "forbidden fruit" of Barbados.^[1] The fruit was first documented in 1750 by Rev. Griffith Hughes describing specimens from Barbados.^[2] All parts of the fruit have uses. The fruit is mainly consumed for a tangy juice. The peel is expressed into an aromatherapy oil. The seed and pulp as a by-product of the juice industry is sold as poultry feed and is manufactured for use to make an extract. GSE was originally developed by Dr. Jacob Harich, a nuclear physicist. In 1963, he journeyed to Florida, the heart of grapefruit country, and began research and later marketing of GSE.^[3] Species & major hybrids Species Citrus aurantifolia - Key lime Citrus maxima - Pomelo Citrus medica - Citron Citrus reticulata - Mandarin & Tangerine Major hybrids Citrus ×sinensis - Sweet Orange Citrus ×aurantium - Bitter Orange Citrus ×paradisi - Grapefruit Citrus ×limon - Lemon Citrus ×limonia - Rangpur lime Citrus ×latifolia - Persian lime See also main text for other hybrids Citrus... The coniferous Coast Redwood, the tallest tree species on earth. ... Fruit stall in Barcelona, Spain. ... Events March 2 - Small earthquake in London, England April 4 - Small earthquake in Warrington, England August 23 - Small earthquake in Spalding, England September 30 - Small earthquake in Northampton, England November 16 – Westminster Bridge officially opened Jonas Hanway is the first Englishman to use an umbrella James Gray reveals her sex... The traditional heart shape appears on a 1910 St. ...

Scientific research

Anecdotal claims for an antimicrobial effect are loosely supported by small abstract scientific experiments which apparently show some antimicrobial activity in in vitro assays such as the agar diffusion test.^[4][5][6] However, there is considerable scientific evidence that the anti-microbial activity associated with grapefruit seed extract is attributable to the contamination or adulteration of commercial GSE preparations with synthetic antimicrobials or preservatives.^[7] After careful evaluation of the anecdotal claims for an antimicrobial effect, the preliminary studies state that the Citricidal brand of GSE was used for testing.^[4][5] That said, despite the anecdotal antimicrobial claims, according to the 2001 GSE study, the Citricidal brand as well as the Nutribiotic brand were both contaminated with synthetic benzethonium chloride that was implausible to be made from grapefruit seeds.^[8] Another in vitro study claimed GSE has antimicrobial activity against bacteria.^[6] As the same with the branded in vitro test^[4][5] that was contaminated with preservatives,^[8] the ethanolic extract tested had been adulterated with a preservative known as ethanol used in the extraction process.^[6] Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is effective in inhibiting bacteria.^[9] Nevertheless, as a result of marketing by manufacturers in the health food arena and a few misinterpreted studies conducted in vitro that tested contaminated extracts which were not pure GSE processed without solvents or brands which are known to contain preservatives, the controversy of the effectiveness of GSE continues even when studies conclude self-made pure GSE has no natural antimicrobial properties and commercial GSE has been identified with contamination from synthetic preservatives.^{[7][8][10][11][12]} Wiktionary has a definition of: In vitro In vitro (Latin: within glass) means within a test tube, or, more generally, outside a living organism or cell. ... Agar diffusion testing is a method of testing a chemical agents anti-microbial effectiveness by measuring and determining the agents zone of inhibition. ... Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless, slightly toxic chemical compound with a distinctive perfume-like odor, and is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. ... Look up Controversy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Independent studies have shown that commercial preparations contain the compound benzalkonium chloride, which is a synthetic antimicrobial commonly used in disinfectants and cleaning products, the related compound benzethonium chloride, the antibiotic triclosan, or the preservative methylparaben.^[10][11][12] Some samples were shown to contain up to 22% benzalkonium chloride by weight, despite the known allergenicity and toxicity of the compound at higher doses.^[12] These chemicals were not present in grapefruit seed extracts prepared in the laboratory, and GSE preparations without the contaminants were found to possess no significant antimicrobial effect.^[10] Self-made citrus seed extracts had no broad-spectrum capabilities as a preservative. Although GSE is sold in health food shops, there is no good evidence for any natural antimicrobial activity.^[10] R-phrases , , S-phrases , , RTECS number BO3150000 Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Benzalkonium chloride (alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride) is a mixture of alkylbenzyl dimethylammonium chlorides of various alkyl chain lengths. ... Skeletal structure of benzethonium chloride Benzethonium chloride, also called hyamine, is a synthetic quaternary ammonium compound used as a germicide and an antimicrobial agent in cosmetics and personal care products like eg. ... Triclosan (chemically 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) is a potent wide spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agent. ... Methylparaben, also methyl paraben, one of the parabens, has formula CH3(C6H4(OH)COO). ... This article deals specifically with IgE-mediated hypersensitivity. ... // Toxic and Intoxicated redirect here – toxic has other uses, which can be found at Toxicity (disambiguation); for the state of being intoxicated by alcohol see Drunkenness. ... Michael Faraday, 19th century physicist and chemist, in his lab. ...

A study that examined the antiviral properties of GSE found that GSE had no efficacy as a disinfectant for feline calicivirus and feline parvovirus.^[13] Grapefruit seed extract has been advocated to be a powerful antimicrobial with proven activity against bacteria and fungi. However, independent studies have shown the efficacy of grapefruit seed extract as an antimicrobial is not demonstrated. Although citrus seed extract is claimed to be a highly effective plant-based preservative by some natural personal care manufacturers, studies asserted that the universal antimicrobial benefits associated with GSE are merely from the presence of synthetic preservatives. Natural GSE has no antimicrobial properties.^[7][10] Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a virus of the family Caliciviridae that causes disease in cats. ... Feline panleukopenia, more commonly known as feline distemper, is a viral infection affecting cats caused by feline parvovirus, a close relative of canine parvovirus. ... An antimicrobial is a substance that kills or slows the growth of microbes like bacteria (antibacterial activity), fungi (antifungal activity), viruses (antiviral activity), or parasites (antiparasitic activity). ... Phyla/Divisions Actinobacteria Aquificae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Nitrospirae Omnibacteria Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Bacteria (singular, bacterium) are a major group of living organisms. ... Divisions Chytridiomycota Zygomycota Ascomycota Basidiomycota The Fungi (singular: fungus) are a large group of organisms ranked as a kingdom within the Domain Eukaryota. ... A preservative is a natural or synthetic chemical that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, etc. ... Galunggung in 1982, showing a combination of natural events. ...

Properties

There is good evidence that the extract of citrus grapefruit seed has low levels of antioxidant properties.^[14][15] This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

Analysis research revealed the constituents of the seed extract and pulp are made up of flavonoids,^[16][17] ascorbic acid, tocopherols, citric acid,^[14] limonoids,^[18][19][20] sterols, and minerals.^[21] A study suggests the consumption of the bioactive compounds found in grapefruit seed and pulp may help suppress the development colon cancer.^[22] Another study showed the flavonoid naringin is an excellent plasma lipid lowering and plasma antioxidant active elevating flavonone.^[15] This article deals with the molecular aspects of ascorbic acid. ... Tocopherol, or Vitamin E, is a fat-soluble vitamin in eight forms that is an important antioxidant. ... Citric acid is a weak organic acid found in citrus fruits. ... Limonoids are phytochemicals, abundant in citrus fruit and other plants of the classes Rutaceae and Meliaceae. ... Molecular structure of flavone The term flavonoid refers to a class of plant secondary metabolites based around a phenylbenzopyrone structure. ...

Preparations

Self-made pure GSE processed without solvents is prepared by grinding the grapefruit seed and juiceless pulp, then mixing with glycerin.^[10]

Commercially available GSE sold to consumers are made from the seed, pulp, glycerin, and synthetic preservatives all blended together.^[10]

Precautions

Consequential to the identification of preservatives in commercial GSE which are sold at some natural food markets, people who are sensitive to eating synthetic preservatives may exercise caution in administering GSE at any dilution to prevent an allergic reaction.^[23] Pancreatitus can be caused by an Allergic Reaction to a food. ...

Grapefruit can have a number of interactions with certain drugs, increasing the potency of many compounds. Grapefruit has components that inhibit the production of a particular enzyme in the liver. Thus, it is this effect that increases the rate of absorption of several drugs.^[24] This page has a list of drugs that are known to be affected by grapefruit. ... Many drugs are provided in tablet form. ...

GSE controversy

GSE usage has been popularized by many companies within the scope of the health food industry. There are books exclusively dedicated to GSE.^[3][25][26] This extract is promoted by marketers on the internet. Some health food stores continue to recommend it. Some consumers believe this extract is an effective natural preservative despite the findings of multiple scientific studies have concluded the universal antimicrobial activity is merely from contamination with synthetic antimicrobials.^{[7][8][10][11][12]}

See also

Scientific skepticism To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

References

External links

• WellVet Company -- Grapefruit Seed Extract Overview: Articles, Conclusions, and References.
• Ecofriendly Pesticides Are Not What They Seem -- Article By Steve Down; June 1, 2006.
• Damage-Based Theories of Aging -- A description of the free radical theory of aging and a discussion of the role of antioxidants in aging.