COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ESSENTIAL OIL YIELD AND COMPOSITION FROM SWEET ORANGE (CITRUS SINENSIS) AND LEMON (CITRUS LIMON) PEELS

Abstract

This study performed a comparative analysis of essential oil obtained from sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and lemon (Citrus limon) peels using the steam distillation technique. Comparative yield analysis demonstrated that sweet orange peels provided a higher total oil yield (8.95 ml) compared to lemon orange peels (4.92 ml) under the same extraction conditions. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis confirmed fundamentally distinct chemical composition of the extracted oils. Sweet orange oil was characterized by a high concentration of the monoterpene Limonene (85.00%), with minor constituents including beta-Myrcene (1.50%) and alpha-Pinene (0.80%). In contrast, lemon oil exhibited a slightly lower Limonene content (65.00%) but a significantly richer blend of oxygenated compounds and other terpenes, notably gamma-Terpinene (10.00%), Sabinene (5.00%), and Citral (3.50%). The sweet orange oil's composition primarily supports its use as a flavor and fragrance ingredient, while the presence of Citral and higher monoterpene varieties in the lemon oil suggest stronger antimicrobial and insect-repellent potential. The compositional differences underscore that sweet orange is the more efficient raw material for bulk oil yield, while lemon peel is superior for the extraction of dietary fiber, pectin, and specialized chemical constituents.