Isolation and characterization of flavonoid fractions from orange peel with antioxidant properties

Saikat Santra; Pinki Biswas; Soumyadeb  Dutta; Deepannita  R. Mukherjee

doi:10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20261118

Authors

Saikat Santra Department of Pharmaceutics, JRSET College of Pharmacy, Uttar Panchpota, Chakdaha, Nadia, West Bengal, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9398-7945
Pinki Biswas Department of Pharmaceutics, JRSET College of Pharmacy, Uttar Panchpota, Chakdaha, Nadia, West Bengal, India https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5419-5102
Soumyadeb Dutta Department of Pharmacology, JRSET College of Pharmacy, Uttar Panchpota, Chakdaha, Nadia, West Bengal, India https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2097-6043
Deepannita R. Mukherjee Department of Pharmacology, JRSET College of Pharmacy, Uttar Panchpota, Chakdaha, Nadia, West Bengal, India https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1291-654X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20261118

Keywords:

Citrus sinensis, Flavonoids, Hesperidin, Antioxidant activity, Waste valorization

Abstract

Background: Citrus sinensis peel is an abundant agro-industrial byproduct rich in flavonoids and a potentially underexploited source of natural antioxidants. This study aimed to extract, characterize, and evaluate the antioxidant potential of flavonoid fractions from orange peel for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Methods: Dried Citrus sinensis peel underwent hydroalcoholic extraction (ethanol: water, 1:1 v/v) for 72 hours by column chromatography purification. Characterization utilized HPLC, UV-Vis, and FTIR spectroscopy. Antioxidant activity was quantified via DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assays.

Results: HPLC identified hesperidin as the predominant flavonoid (52.4 mg/g extract), followed by naringin (18.9 mg/g), rutin (13.7 mg/g), and quercetin (8.5 mg/g). Total flavonoid content was 4.29 mg quercetin equivalents/g extract. The extract demonstrated concentration-dependent DPPH scavenging (32.4–88.6% at 0.5–2.5 mg/ml; IC₅₀=1.21 mg/ml) and strong ferric reducing capacity (1655±18 µmol Fe(II)/g). FTIR confirmed characteristic flavonoid functional groups.

Conclusions: Citrus sinensis peel extract exhibits significant antioxidant activity, validating its potential as a sustainable natural antioxidant source for food preservation and pharmaceutical formulations.

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