

New Technique Extracts Potential
Cancer-Fighting Agent From CitrusBy
Kathryn Barry Stelljes March 25, 1997A new technique makes possible--for the first time--large-scale
extraction of useful natural compounds known as limonoid glucosides that show
promise as cancer-fighting agents. Scientists with
USDAs
Agricultural Research Service identified
the chemicals nearly a decade ago in oranges and other citrus fruits. Researchers and industry have renewed interest in the citrus
compounds because of their possible anti-cancer potential. Earlier
food-industry interest centered on their role in reducing bitterness of citrus
juices. ARS scientists helped develop the new manufacturing technique with
Japanese researchers. The Japanese group has test-marketed a fruit juice
beverage with added limonoid glucosides. The team has applied for patent protection for their method of
extracting the glucosides from citrus juice or the thick, dark brown material
called citrus molasses. Citrus molasses comes from peels and other citrus
waste, while the molasses familiar to consumers is produced during the
refinement of raw sugar from sugarcane or sugar beets. In the new method, the citrus juice or citrus molasses passes
through a device lined with material that collects up to 100 percent of the
desired compounds. Washing out the material with a solvent such as alcohol
yields a purified liquid full of limonoid glucosides. Scientific contact: Shin
Hasegawa, USDA-ARS
Process Chemistry
and Engineering Unit, Albany, Calif., phone (510) 559-5819; e-mail
[email protected]. U.S. Department of Agriculture | |