Citrus essential oil (grapefruit, orange, lemon)

Citrus essential oil is an eco-friendly, cheap, and natural substitute for synthetic additives like sodium benzoates, usually used for the preservation of food. It is isolated chiefly from the peels of citrus fruits which are mostly cast-off as waste and induce ecological problems. The isolation of citrus essential oils protects not merely the environment but is also used for a wide range of applications in the food and pharmaceutical field. This review highlights the various extraction methods, characterization, and applications of citrus essential oil. Citrus essential oil is a highly valued multifunctional oil that possesses various medicinal and pharmacological properties like anticancerous, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant. It contains active phytoconstituents such as myrcene, pinene, linalool, sabinene, humulene, limonene, and terpineol. More studies should be conducted to overcome the complications related to allergies and also to find optimum concentration limits. Green extraction methods are preferred for the isolation of citrus essential oil which depicts its positive future to harmless use in food preservation. The citrus essential oils will continue to exhibit an imperative role in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and bio-pest control practices.