Naringin is a flavonoid compound mainly found in the rind and pulp of grapefruit (e.g. grapefruit, tangerine, orange) of the Brassicaceae family, which has a wide range of pharmacological activities and application value.
1. Chemical Properties
Molecular formula: C₂₇H₃₂O₁₄
Molecular weight: 580.54 g/mol
Physical and Chemical Properties: White needle-like crystals, extremely bitter taste, melting point is about 83℃ (six to eight hydrate), after drying the melting point rises to 171℃ (dihydrate). Soluble in methanol, ethanol, acetone, hot water, slightly soluble in cold water, insoluble in petroleum ether, ether and other non-polar solvents.
2. Pharmacological effects
Antioxidant: Scavenging free radicals, inhibiting melanin production, with whitening effect.
Anti-inflammatory: inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators, suitable for arthritis, asthma, dermatitis and other inflammatory diseases.
Cardiovascular protection:
Increase coronary blood flow, improve myocardial ischemia.
Lowering blood pressure, reducing thrombosis, regulating blood lipids (lowering cholesterol and triglycerides).
Antibacterial and antiviral: Inhibit bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, inhibit yeast and fungi, and have preventive effect on viral infections.
Hypoglycemic: naringenin in fresh grapefruit juice has insulin-like effects and can lower blood sugar.
Others: antispasmodic, enhance the role of vitamin C, expectorant and cough.
3. The extraction method
Solvent extraction method: the use of naringin in methanol or ethanol solubility, extraction by leaching, filtration, concentration, purification and other steps.
Alkaline acid precipitation method: open-loop dissolution under alkaline conditions, closed-loop precipitation under acidic conditions.
Microwave/Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction: Combined with traditional solvent method to improve extraction efficiency.
Supercritical fluid extraction: Utilizing the dissolving ability of supercritical carbon dioxide to achieve efficient separation.
IV. Application Fields
Medicine: used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, etc.
Food: as natural antioxidant, sweetener (e.g. neohesperidin dihydrochalcone) and coloring.
Cosmetics: Used in whitening and anti-aging products.
Health care products: developed as dietary supplements to assist in regulating blood lipids and blood pressure.