Description
Citrus aurantifolia is a member of the Rutaceae family. It is an evergreen tree which can reach up to 5m high. The leaves are medium sized measuring 6-9cm long, ovate, bluntly pointed at tips, rounded to cunate at the base. The flowers are white, solitary or in a short racemes, small and fragrant. The fruits are yellow when ripe, globose measuring 4-5 cm in diameter with thinner rind and very sour [1].
Synonym (scientific name)
Citrus limonellus Miq., Citrus medica Linn. var. acida Brandis., Citrus acida Roxb., Citrus aurantium Linn. var. amara Engl., Citrus javanica Blume., Citrus notissima Blanco [2,3,5].
Vernacular name/ local name
Limau Nipis, Limau Masam
Character (Color, Odor, Taste)
Fruit is green, aromatic and sour.
Identification:
-
Plant Morphology
Small, densely, and irregularly branched, evergreen tree about 5m tall twigs armed with short, stiff sharp spines.
Leaves alternate, elliptic to oblong-ovate, 4-8 x 2-5 cm, margin crenulate; petioles narrowly winged. Inflorescence short axillary racemes, 1-7(-10)-flowered; flowers small, white in bud; calyx cup-shaped, 4- to 6-lobbed; petals 4-6, 8-12 mm long; stamens 20-25 (-34), ovary 9-12(-15)-celled, style abruptly distinct.
Fruit a globose to avoid berry, 3-6 cm in diameter, sometimes with apical papillae, greenish- yellow: peel very thin , very densely glandular; segments with yellow-green pulp-vesicles, very acid, juicy and fragrant. Seeds small, plump, ovoid, pale, smooth with white embryos.
-
Microscopy
-
Color Test
Phytochemical Screening
1,4-cineole, linalool; 1,8-cineole; 2,4,6-trichloroanisole; 5-geranoxy-7-methoxy-coumarin; 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin; 8-geranoxypsoralen; 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benxanthracene; a-bergamotene; a-phellandrene; a-pinene; a-terpineol; b-bisabolene; b-caryophyllene; b-pinene, d-limonene;camphene; g-terpenene; p-cymene; apigenin; apigenin-6-C-[alpha-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1–>6)]-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside; apigenin-8-C-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1–>6)]-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside; benzo-[a]-pyrene; berfapten; bergamottin; ciral; citronellol; diosmetin-6,8-di- C-beta- d-glucopyranoside; fenchol; germacrene B; imperatorin; isoimperatorin; isopimpinellin; isovitexin; kaempferol; kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside-6″-(3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutarate); kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside-6″-(3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutarate)-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside; l-camphor; limettin; limonene; nobiletin; o-cymene; oxypeucedanin hydrate; phellopterin; quercetin; rutin; sabinene; terpinolene; vicenin II; vitexin [1,6,21, 22].
Medicinal uses
Antiplatelet activity
A hydroalcoholic extract of lime in the form of tincture had been found to have anti-platelet aggregation activity. It was found to have significantly inhibit ADP and epinephrine induced platelet aggregation in a concentration dependent manner [7].
Antimicrobial activity
C. aurantifolia root extract was amongst those found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella penumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Beta-haemolytic streptococci, Escherichia coli and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The fruit on the other hand was found to inhibit Anaeorbc facultative bacteria i.e. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25213, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella flexnerii, Streptococcus faecalis, Citrobacter spp. Serratia spp, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli ATTC 25922, and Escherichia coli. C. aurantifolia proved to have significant antimycobacterial activity especially against the isoniazid resistant strain [9, 10, 11, 12].
Immunomodulatory activity
Clarified fresh lime juice was tested in mitogen activated cultured mononuclear cells to exhibit its immunomodulating activity. It was found that it could significantly inhibit proliferation of phytohaemagglutinin activated mononuclear cells at 250 and 500microg/l of the extract and inhibited the proliferation of staphylococcal protein A (SPA) activated mononuclear cells at 500 microg/l dose [13].
Cytotoxic activity
Two studies done on the anticancer activity of concentrated lime juice found that it could effectively inhibit the growth of human lymphoblastoid B cell line (RPMI-8866) and human pancreatic cancer cells (Panc-28 cells). In the case of RPMI 8866 cells it was concluded that this activity is attributed to the presence of biologically active macromolecules, while in Panc-28 cells the apoptosis was inducted by the presence of flavonoids and limonoids [14,15].
Antityrosinase activity
Citrus aurantifolia was amongst the plants tested for their antityrosinase activity. At a concentration of 50 microg/l the methanolic extract of the plant showed 59.0% inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase [16].
Antifertility activity
Undiluted lime juice was found to significantly reduced the number of ova shed by adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. The juice caused irregular oestrus cycle, partially block ovulation and thus could possibly compromise fertility [17].
Antiobesity activity
The essential oil extracted from C. aurantifolia was found to promote anorexia and thus aid in reducing weight when given alone in animal models of obesity. When given in combination to ketotifen, it caused significant suppression in weight gain [18].
Antioxidant activity
The essential oil of Citrus aurantifolia had significant antioxidant activity, the highest amongst 3 citrus species tested. The juice and peel extract also showed antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner [19,20].
Anticholinesterase activity
The essential oil extracted from the leaves of C. aurantifolia showed anticholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity. The methanol extracts of the peel and leaves also demonstrated similar activity [21,22].
Other uses
The fruit juice is used to increase stamina, treat dysfunctional uterine bleeding. In Mayan medicine the juice is considered a tonic for libido and an antidote for poisons. They make use of the juice as facial wash to rejuvenate skin and remove stains. Amongst the Malays, the juice is used to control epistaxis and given in its pure form as a remedy for athralgia, diabetes and atherosclerosis. The diluted form is good as mouth wash for sore mouth and sorethroat. The leaves as a poultice is applied over the head to relieve headache while a decoction is considered a tonic and is used in the treatment of hypertension and common cold. A decoction of the flower is believed to help induce sleep for those with insomnia [1,2,3,4].
Dosage
Storage
Store below 30°C. Protect from light and moisture.