Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), also known as citrus seed extract, is a liquid
extract derived from the
seeds,
pulp, and
white membranes of
grapefruit.[1] GSE is prepared by grinding the grapefruit seed and juiceless pulp, then mixing with
glycerin.[1] Commercially available GSEs sold to consumers are made from the seed, pulp, and glycerin blended together.[1] GSE is sold as a
dietary supplement and is used in
cosmetics.[2]
Grapefruit history
The grapefruit is a subtropical
citrustree grown for its
fruit which was originally named the "
forbidden fruit" of
Barbados.[3] The fruit was first documented in 1750 by Rev.
Griffith Hughes when describing specimens from Barbados.[4] All parts of the fruit can be used. The fruit is mainly consumed for its tangy
juice.[5] The peel can be processed into
aromatherapyoils[6] and is also a source of
dietary fiber.[7] The seed and pulp, as
byproducts of the juice industry, are retrieved for GSE processing[8] or sold as
cattle feed.[9]
Efficacy
Despite
claims that GSE has
antimicrobial effects,[10] there is no scientific evidence that GSE has such properties.[11][8] Some evidence indicates that the suspected antimicrobial activity of GSE was due to the contamination or adulteration of commercial GSE preparations with synthetic antimicrobials or
preservatives.[1][2][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 detectable antimicrobial effect.[1] Although citrus seed extract is sold in
health food markets,[12] there is no good evidence for any antimicrobial activity.[1]
GSE is prepared by grinding the grapefruit seed and juiceless pulp, then mixing with glycerin.[1] Commercially available GSE is made from the seed, pulp, glycerin, and synthetic preservatives all blended together.[1]
^
abcdefghvon Woedtke T, Schlüter B, Pflegel P, Lindequist U, Jülich WD (June 1999). "Aspects of the antimicrobial efficacy of grapefruit seed extract and its relation to preservative substances contained". Pharmazie. 54 (6): 452–6.
PMID10399191.
^
abGanzera M, Aberham A, Stuppner H (May 2006). "Development and validation of an HPLC/UV/MS method for simultaneous determination of 18 preservatives in grapefruit seed extract". J. Agric. Food Chem. 54 (11): 3768–72.
doi:
10.1021/jf060543d.
PMID16719494.
^Arthington JD, Kunkle WE, Martin AM (July 2002). "Citrus pulp for cattle". Vet. Clin. North Am. Food Anim. Pract. 18 (2): 317–26, vii.
doi:
10.1016/S0749-0720(02)00023-3.
PMID12235663.
^Cvetnić Z, Vladimir-Knezević S (September 2004). "Antimicrobial activity of grapefruit seed and pulp ethanolic extract". Acta Pharm. 54 (3): 243–50.
PMID15610620.
^
abc"Grapefruit". Drugs.com. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
^
abTakeoka GR, Dao LT, Wong RY, Harden LA (September 2005). "Identification of benzalkonium chloride in commercial grapefruit seed extracts". J. Agric. Food Chem. 53 (19): 7630–6.
doi:
10.1021/jf0514064.
PMID16159196.