Posted by:
Tim Madsen
at Thu May 29 17:51:00 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Tim Madsen ]
GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT PRODUCTS
Broad Specturm Antiseptics
Grapefruit Seed Extract was originally developed by Jacob Harich (1919-1996) as an antiparasitic agent. Dr. Harich, a German researcher who immigrated to the U.S., convinced researchers at the University of Florida at Gainesville to experiment with the use of grapefruit extract as an alternative to then-current chemicals for the protection of fruit and vegetables from mold damage. They were impressed by the ability of the extract to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi as well as other organisms. A modified form of the extract became a commercial success under the name Citricidal. Tests conducted by the U.S.D.A. indicated that Citricidal was also effective in inhibiting pathogenic viruses in animals. Since the mid-1980s, the production team at the Citricidal company worked closely with Dr. Harich to improve the manufacturing process, open new facilities, and expand the use of Citricidal beyond it's original application.
Although described simply as Grapefruit Seed Extract, Citricidal is more complex: it is synthesized from the polyphenolic (flavonoid) compounds found in the mixture of grapefruit seeds and pulp that is left over from production of grapefruit juice. The manufacture is described as follows:
Grapefruit pulp and seed is dried and ground into a fine powder.
The powder is dissolved in purified water and distilled to remove the fiber and pectin.
The distilled slurry is spray dried at low temperatures forming a concentrated flavonoid powder.
This concentrated powder is dissolved in vegetable glycerine and heated.
Food grade ammonium chloride and ascorbic acid are added, and this mixture is heated under pressure. The amount of ammonium chloride remaining in finished Citricidal is 15-19%; the amount of ascorbic acid remaining is 2.5-3.0%.
The ammoniated mixture undergoes catalytic conversion using natural catalysts, including hydrochloric acid and natural enzymes. There is no residue of hydrochloric acid after the reaction.
The slurry is cooled, filtered, and treated with ultraviolet light.
The main active components in the finished product are a group of quaternary ammonium chlorides, including benzethonium chloride (illustrated here) or a compound nearly identical to it, that make up about 8-17% of the product. Benzethonium chloride is a well-known synthetic antiseptic agent; it is not added to the grapefruit extract, but is formed from the original grapefruit flavonoids by the ammoniation process. An acute oral toxicity study was performed on Citricidal, demonstrating that it is safe; there have been no reports of toxicity from long-term use of Citricidal.
benzethonium chloride
The action of Citricidal involves weakening the mitochondrial membranes of bacteria and fungi, resulting in death of the organisms. Antiviral activity may be the result of disrupting the integrity of the viral proteins. At normal doses, Citricidal has no adverse effects on plant, animal, or human cells.
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RE Here's some info. I gathered (long) - Tim Madsen, Thu May 29 17:51:00 2003