• Sweet Orange
  • Sweet Orange

Sweet Orange

  • Scientific Name
    Citrus sinensis
  • Family
    Rutaceae
  • Origin
    Brazil, US, Italy, Costa Ricaetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Sweet Orange belongs to the Rutaceae family and is a shrub with oval -shaped leaves that grows at moderate temperatures of around 20°C. Sweet Oranges come in several varieties, broadly classified into: 1. regular oranges such as Valencia and Chamouti oranges, 2. Navel oranges, 3. Blood oranges, 4. Acid-free oranges, among others. The fruit is vibrant yellow to orange in color, boasting a delightful blend of acidity and sweetness emitting a refreshing citrus aroma. Notably, Sweet Orange peels are  coarse rather than smooth. The term “orange” is believed to have originated from the Indian Sanskrit Dravidian language, and as the fruit spread to Europe, it adopted its present-day name. Various theories surround the origin of itself, but it is known to have been introduced from India across the Himalayas to Europe. Over time, numerous varieties  have been cultivated worldwide. The tree has evolved alongside human lives, adapting in diverse ways to become an integral part of various cultures and lifestyles.

Essential oil composition

Sweet Orange (cold-pressed)

  • Sweet Orange (cold-pressed)

  • INCI
    CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) PEEL OIL、CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) OIL
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Peel
  • Extraction Method
    Cold Press
  • Extraction Rate
    0.6%
  • Notes
    Top
  • Aroma Family
    Citrus

Sweet Orange (cold-pressed) Essential Oil Properties & Uses

Sweet Orange essential oil is obtained from the peel by Cold Press at about 0.6 % extraction efficiency, and has an orange to deep orange color. Its primary components include limonene and myrcene, giving it a citrus-like character, alongside octanal, which contributes a subtle sweet aroma, although in lower quantities. The fragrance is a delightful combination of sweetness and refreshment. Its lively and fresh scent uplifts the mood and brings a sense of relaxation to the mind. In Japan, people of all ages and genders appreciate the comforting and soothing nature of this warm fragrance, giving its relaxation qualities. It's a familiar and pleasing scent that complements a wide range of essential oils.　When blended with less favorable aromas or in situations where a blend doesn't harmonize well, Sweet Orange can contribute to creating a well-balanced aroma.The fragrance strength is weak, allowing for easy balancing by adding a little more to achieve the desired blend.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • Limonene　95.11%
  • Myrcene　2.23%
  • Other components　2.66％

Functions and Efficacies

Limonene

Limonene
  • IUPAC Name
    1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    138-86-3
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of Limonene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Memory Improvement ○ ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○ ○ ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that mice subjected to cold stress at 4°C (41°F) exhibited reduced elevations in blood corticosterone levels when treated with limonene. Furthermore, the same report demonstrated that limonene effectively lowered corticosterone levels in the blood of mice exposed to both physical and mental stress.1)

Memory Improvement

A study reported that when acetylcholinesterase reacts with acetylthiocholine in phosphate-buffered saline, the introduction of limonene inhibits the degradation by acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase plays a role in the breakdown of acetylcholine, a hormone associated with memory and learning. In the same report, it was also noted that limonene suppressed memory impairment induced by scopolamine administration in rats.2)

Anti-cancer Effects

A report indicated that the consumption of limonene by breast cancer patients resulted in reduced expression of Cyclin D1, a protein crucial for cell division, within tumors.3)Furthermore, numerous other studies have also documented the anticancer properties of limonene.4)5)

  • 1)Fukumoto et al., Stress and Health, 2008
  • 2)Zhou et al., Nutritional Neuroscience,, 2013
  • 3)Miller et al., Cancer Prevntion Research, 2013
  • 4)Ajikumaran Nair S et al., Phytomedicine, 2018
  • 5)Chaudhary et al., Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2012

IFRA

Citrus oils and other furocoumarins containing essential oils：
Furocoumarins (bergaptenes) in the final product is restricted to less than 15ppm due to the possibility of phototoxicity caused by them contained in citrus essential oils.

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

Limonene：
Oxidized limonene can cause dermal sensitization. For essential oils with a high limonene content, it is advisable to use only when the level of peroxides is maintained at a minimum (20 mol/l) through the incorporation of antioxidants.

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
International Fragrance Association, Citrus oils and other furocoumarins containing essential oils, 2020.
International Fragrance Association, Limonene, 1995.
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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