Grapefruit seed extract

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] Self-made natural GSE processed in the laboratory without synthetic agents is prepared by grinding the grapefruit seed and juiceless pulp, then mixing with glycerin.[1] Commercially available GSE sold to consumers are made from the seed, pulp, glycerin (and in some cases synthetic preservatives) all blended together.[1] Grapefruit seed extract is sold as a food supplement and used in cosmetics because it is a claimed natural antimicrobial.[2]

An early proponent was Dr. Jacob Harich (1919–1996).[3] A long time promoter of GSE was Aubrey Hampton, the founder of Aubrey Organics.[4] Some marketers of GSE affirm this extract to be a safe, natural, and effective preservative.[5] This extract has been stated by some practitioners of alternative medicine to possess antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.[3] It has been recommended by some nutritionists for the treatment of candidiasis, earache, throat infections, and diarrhea.[3] GSE is promoted at health food shops and on the internet.[6][7]

There are conflicting scientific demonstrations of the efficacy of GSE.[1] Suspicions about the true nature of the active compounds in GSEs arose when synthetic additives were found in commercial products.[2] Suspected counterfeit grapefruit seed extracts were adulterated with synthetic preservatives.[8][9][10] When preservatives were not present in some of the extracts, laboratory tests found the natural extracts had no natural antimicrobial attributes of their own.[5] Some manufacturers of GSE have stated that their extract has compounds nearly identical to benzethonium chloride, but a 2001 study supervised by chemist G. Takeoka has documented that commercial GSE preparations contain the synthetic compound benzethonium chloride that could not have been made from GSE.[5]

History

The grapefruit is a subtropical citrus tree grown for its fruit which was originally named the "forbidden fruit" of Barbados.[11] The fruit was first documented in 1750 by Rev. Griffith Hughes describing specimens from Barbados.[12] All parts of the fruit have uses. The fruit is mainly consumed for a tangy juice.[13] The peel is expressed into an aromatherapy oil[14] and is also a source of dietary fiber.[15] The seed and pulp as a by-product of the juice industry is sold as cattle feed[16] and is manufactured for use to make an extract.[1] GSE was originally developed by Dr. Jacob Harich, a nuclear physicist. In 1963, he journeyed to Florida, the heart of grapefruit country in the U.S., and began researching and later marketing of GSE.[3] Aubrey Hampton, founder of Aubrey Organics, has promoted citrus seed extract, a component in "Aubrey’s Preservative", for more than 25 years.[4] Today, GSE is mostly promoted at health food shops and on the internet.[6][7]

Efficacy

Anecdotal claims for an antimicrobial effect are based on a few abstract scientific experiments which show some antimicrobial activity for commercial grapefruit seed extracts and an ethanol grapefruit seed extract but not a natural GSE.[17][18][19] The preliminary studies for the antimicrobial effect state that the Citricidal commercial brand of GSE was used for testing.[17][18] 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.[2] According to the 2001 GSE study, branded commercial GSE preparations were contaminated with synthetic benzethonium chloride that was implausible to be made from grapefruit seeds.[5] Some of the marketers claimed that their product does not contain benzethonium chloride and the error was due to the similarity in molecular weight of the quaternary ammonium compound which was formed through a proprietary manufacturing process.[5] It is inconceivable that the preservative benzethonium chloride is formed during any extraction and/or processing of grapefruit seeds and pulp.[5] Researchers conclusively demonstrated the presence of benzethonium chloride in commercial GSE using various analytical methods including HPLC, one- and two-dimensional NMR, PIXE analysis, and electrospray ionization MS.[5] Another in vitro study claimed GSE had antibacterial properties.[19] As with the branded in vitro test[17][18] this extract was contaminated.[5] The ethanolic grapefruit seed and pulp extract tested was prepared or contaminated with ethanol, a chemical solvent used in the extraction process.[19] Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is effective in inhibiting bacteria.[20]

Independent studies have shown some commercial preparations to 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.[1][6][21] Some samples were shown to contain up to 22% benzalkonium chloride by weight, despite the known allergenicity[22] and toxicity[23] of the compound at higher doses.[6] 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,[6] there is no good evidence for any natural antimicrobial activity.[1][7]

A study that examined the antiviral properties of GSE found that GSE had no efficacy as a disinfectant for feline calicivirus and feline parvovirus.[24] 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.[1][2] Newer studies found many commercial grapefruit seed extracts contaminated with synthetic preservatives.[8][9][10] In a 2007 study the main synthetic antimicrobial agent identified in commercial GSE samples was benzethonium chloride.[8] In a 2008 study synthetic disinfectants such as benzethonium or benzalkonium chloride were identified in most of the commercial GSE products.[9] In a 2008 study suspected counterfeit products were determined to contain benzethonium chloride in grapefruit seed extract samples.[10]

Methodology

Grapefruit seed extracts are added to cosmetics, food supplements, and pesticides for their antimicrobial effect, but suspicions about the true nature of the active compounds in GSEs arose when synthetic additives were found in commercial products.[2] Various analytical methods were developed to determine the constituents or compounds in GSE samples which include particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE),[5] electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS),[5] high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC),[2] liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS),[9] and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis.[10]

Properties

There is evidence that the extract of citrus grapefruit seed has antioxidant properties.[25][26] Analysis shows the constituents of the seed extract and pulp are flavonoids,[27][28] ascorbic acid (commonly known as vitamin C[29][30][31]), tocopherols, citric acid,[25] limonoids,[32][33][34] sterols, and minerals.[35] A study suggests the consumption of the bioactive compounds found in grapefruit seed and pulp may help suppress the development of colon cancer.[36] Another study showed the flavonoid naringin is an excellent plasma lipid lowering and plasma antioxidant active elevating flavonone.[37]

Preparations

Self-made pure GSE processed without solvents is prepared by grinding the grapefruit seed and juiceless pulp, then mixing with glycerin.[1]

Commercially available GSE sold to consumers are made from the seed, pulp, glycerin, and synthetic preservatives all blended together.[1]

Precautions

Grapefruit can have a number of interactions with certain drugs, increasing the potency of many compounds,[38] including warfarin (coumadin).[39] Grapefruit has components that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme in the intestine.[38] Thus, it is this effect that increases the rate of absorption of several drugs.[40] There are concerns about the safety of ingesting synthetic preservatives found in grapefruit seed extract.[7]

Controversy

GSE usage has been popularized by many companies within the scope of the health food industry.[5] There are books exclusively dedicated to GSE.[3][41][42] This extract is promoted by marketers on the internet, there are health food stores that recommend its use, and proponents maintain that it is safe.[5][7] Some consumers believe this extract is an effective natural preservative even though multiple scientific studies have concluded that the universal antimicrobial activity is merely from contamination with synthetic antimicrobials.[1][2][5][6][21][39]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 von 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. PMID 10399191.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ganzera 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. PMID 16719494.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Sims, Judith. Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Available in e-book format. Thomson Gale. 2001.
  4. 1 2 Melissa Meisel. Cosmetics Go Green. Happi, Rodman Publishing, June 2007.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Takeoka G, Dao L, Wong RY, Lundin R, Mahoney N (July 2001). "Identification of benzethonium chloride in commercial grapefruit seed extracts". J. Agric. Food Chem. 49 (7): 3316–20. doi:10.1021/jf010222w. PMID 11453769.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Takeoka 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. PMID 16159196.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Todd Caldecott. Grapefruit Seed Extract. Medical Herbalism 2005:14(3);1.
  8. 1 2 3 Avula B, Dentali S, Khan IA (August 2007). "Simultaneous identification and quantification by liquid chromatography of benzethonium chloride, methyl paraben and triclosan in commercial products labeled as grapefruit seed extract". Pharmazie 62 (8): 593–6. PMID 17867553.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Sugimoto N, Tada A, Kuroyanagi M, et al. (February 2008). "[Survey of synthetic disinfectants in grapefruit seed extract and its compounded products]". Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi (in Japanese) 49 (1): 56–62. doi:10.3358/shokueishi.49.56. PMID 18344660.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Bekiroglu S, Myrberg O, Ostman K, et al. (August 2008). "Validation of a quantitative NMR method for suspected counterfeit products exemplified on determination of benzethonium chloride in grapefruit seed extracts". J Pharm Biomed Anal 47 (4–5): 958–61. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2008.03.021. PMID 18456447.
  11. ↑ Dowling, Curtis F.; Morton, Julia Frances (1987). Fruits of warm climates. Miami, Fla: J.F. Morton. pp. 152–8. ISBN 0-9610184-1-0.
  12. ↑ Michael Quinion. World Wide Words: Questions & Answers; Grapefruit. 2009.
  13. ↑ Fellers PJ, Nikdel S, Lee HS (August 1990). "Nutrient content and nutrition labeling of several processed Florida citrus juice products". J Am Diet Assoc 90 (8): 1079–84. PMID 2380455.
  14. ↑ Worwood, Valerie Ann (1991). The complete book of essential oils and aromatherapy. Novato, Calif: New World Library. ISBN 0-931432-82-0.
  15. ↑ Cerda JJ, Robbins FL, Burgin CW, Baumgartner TG, Rice RW (September 1988). "The effects of grapefruit pectin on patients at risk for coronary heart disease without altering diet or lifestyle". Clin Cardiol 11 (9): 589–94. doi:10.1002/clc.4960110902. PMID 3229016.
  16. ↑ 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. PMID 12235663.
  17. 1 2 3 Reagor L, Gusman J, McCoy L, Carino E, Heggers JP (June 2002). "The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: I. An in vitro agar assay". J Altern Complement Med 8 (3): 325–32. doi:10.1089/10755530260128014. PMID 12165190.
  18. 1 2 3 Heggers JP, Cottingham J, Gusman J, et al. (June 2002). "The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity". J Altern Complement Med 8 (3): 333–40. doi:10.1089/10755530260128023. PMID 12165191.
  19. 1 2 3 Cvetnić Z, Vladimir-Knezević S (September 2004). "Antimicrobial activity of grapefruit seed and pulp ethanolic extract". Acta Pharm 54 (3): 243–50. PMID 15610620.
  20. ↑ Kampf G, Kramer A (October 2004). "Epidemiologic Background of Hand Hygiene and Evaluation of the Most Important Agents for Scrubs and Rubs". Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 17 (4): 863–93, table of contents. doi:10.1128/CMR.17.4.863-893.2004. PMC 523567. PMID 15489352.
  21. 1 2 Sakamoto S, Sato K, Maitani T, Yamada T (1996). "[Analysis of components in natural food additive "grapefruit seed extract" by HPLC and LC/MS]". Eisei Shikenjo Hokoku (in Japanese) (114): 38–42. PMID 9037863.
  22. ↑ Chiambaretta F, Pouliquen P, Rigal D (1997). "[Allergy and preservatives. Apropos of 3 cases of allergy to benzalkonium chloride]". J Fr Ophtalmol (in French) 20 (1): 8–16. PMID 9099278.
  23. ↑ Liu H, Routley I, Teichmann KD (November 2001). "Toxic endothelial cell destruction from intraocular benzalkonium chloride". J Cataract Refract Surg 27 (11): 1746–50. doi:10.1016/S0886-3350(01)01067-7. PMID 11709246.
  24. ↑ Eleraky NZ, Potgieter LN, Kennedy MA (2002). "Virucidal efficacy of four new disinfectants". J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 38 (3): 231–4. PMID 12022408.
  25. 1 2 Armando C, Maythe S, Beatriz NP (December 1997). "Antioxidant activity of grapefruit seed extract on vegetable oils". Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 77 (4): 463–7. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0010(199808)77:4<463::AID-JSFA62>3.0.CO;2-1.
  26. ↑ Giamperi L, Fraternale D, Bucchini A, Ricci D (March 2004). "Antioxidant activity of Citrus paradisi seeds glyceric extract". Fitoterapia 75 (2): 221–4. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2003.12.010. PMID 15030930.
  27. ↑ Drewnowski A, Gomez-Carneors C (2000). "Bitter taste, phytonutrients, and consumer: a review". Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 72 (6): 1424–35. PMID 11101467.
  28. ↑ Tirillini B (2000). "Grapefruit: the last decade acquisitions". Fitoterapia 71: 29–37. doi:10.1016/S0367-326X(00)00176-3. PMID 10930710.
  29. ↑ Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D. Vitamin C Has Been Known To Fight 30 Major Diseases... For Over 50 Years. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. March 15, 2006.
  30. ↑ Vitamin C. American Cancer Society. 2009.
  31. ↑ The World's Healthiest Foods; Grapefruit. The George Mateljan Foundation. 2009.
  32. ↑ Bennett RD, Hasegava S, Herman Z (1989). "Glucosides of acidic limonoids in citrus". Phytochemistry 28 (10): 2777–81. doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)98087-7.
  33. ↑ Ohta H, Fong CH, Berhow M, Hesegawa (1993). "Thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses of limonoids and limonoid glucosides in citrus seeds". J. Chromatogr. 639 (2): 295–302. doi:10.1016/0021-9673(93)80266-B.
  34. ↑ Braddock RJ, Bryan CR (2001). "Extraction parameters and capillary electrophorisis analysis of limonin glucoside and phlorin in citrus products". J. Agric. Food Chem. 49 (12): 5982–8. doi:10.1021/jf010737n. PMID 11743796.
  35. ↑ Tushiswili LS, Durmishidze SV, Sulaberidze KV (1983). "Sterols of grapefruit, orange, mandarin pulps (Citrus paradisi, Citrus sinensis, Citrus unshiu)". Chem. Nat. Comp. 18: 445–7.
  36. ↑ Vanamala J, Leonardi T, Patil BS, et al. (June 2006). "Suppression of colon carcinogenesis by bioactive compounds in grapefruit". Carcinogenesis 27 (6): 1257–65. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgi318. PMID 16387741.
  37. ↑ Gorinstein S, Leontowicz H, Leontowicz M, et al. (April 2005). "Changes in plasma lipid and antioxidant activity in rats as a result of naringin and red grapefruit supplementation". J. Agric. Food Chem. 53 (8): 3223–8. doi:10.1021/jf058014h. PMID 15826081.
  38. 1 2 Bakalar, Nicholas. Experts Reveal the Secret Powers of Grapefruit Juice. The New York Times. March 21, 2006.
  39. 1 2 Brandin H, Myrberg O, Rundlöf T, Arvidsson AK, Brenning G (June 2007). "Adverse effects by artificial grapefruit seed extract products in patients on warfarin therapy". Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 63 (6): 565–70. doi:10.1007/s00228-007-0289-1. PMID 17468864.
  40. ↑ He K, Iyer KR, Hayes RN, Sinz MW, Woolf TF, Hollenberg PF (April 1998). "Inactivation of cytochrome P450 3A4 by bergamottin, a component of grapefruit juice". Chem. Res. Toxicol. 11 (4): 252–9. doi:10.1021/tx970192k. PMID 9548795.
  41. ↑ Sharamon, S., Baginski, B.J. The Healing Power of Grapefruit Seed. Lotus Press, Wisconsin. 1996. ISBN 0-914955-27-6
  42. ↑ Allan Sachs (1997). The authoritative guide to grapefruit seed extract. Mendocino, CA: LifeRhythm. ISBN 0-940795-17-5.

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