Also known as citricidal, grapefruit seed extract is a liquid derived from the seeds of the grapefruit. The grapefruit is from a subtropical citrus tree known for its sour fruit. There is evidence that the extract of citrus grapefruit seed has antioxidantproperties. Analysis shows the constituents of the seed extract and pulp are flavonoids, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, citric acid,limonoids, sterols, and minerals.
The fruit has become popular since the late 19th century when the United States quickly became a major producer of the fruit, with groves in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California. It is now also grown in China, South Africa and Mexico.
Grapefruit seed-extract exerts antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activity due to the flavonoid naringenin. Naringenin belongs to the class of flavonoids called flavanones. Although grapefruit seed extract does not directly influence white blood cells or hormone-like immune system factors, it does directly kill or inhibit many diverse toxic bacteria, fungi and viruses. This action of grapefruit seed extract increases the body’s resistance to bacterial, viral and fungal infections
Many seeds protect themselves from the various microbes that could destroy them with chemicals. In grapefruit seeds, these chemical protectors are called polyphenolic compounds. Although the chemicals in other seeds are often considered toxic to humans and animals, the polyphenolic compounds in grapefruit seeds can easily be converted into a form that is safe for human use and because of this grapefruit seed extract is considered very stable.