BITTER ORANGES OF SEVILLE: ESSENTIAL OILS AND BIOFLAVONOIDS

ABSTRACT

Since ancient times, the different parts of the bitter orange of Seville have been used as food or for healing. One of its current main applications is the obtaining of a wide range of flavonoids which, after years of research and development, have proved to provide numerous benefits for human health including action against COVID-19, which is under research at laboratory level. Among the flavonoids found in the bitter orange of Seville naringin can be highlighted, which is very beneficial for human health. On the other hand, essential oils have been extracted and used since ancient times, from ritual and religious uses to the current uses in cosmetics, perfumery, food and health. This chapter overviews the history of the bitter oranges of Seville, the essential oils and naringin (a bioflavonoid) that can be extracted from them and their potential applications. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.