Identification and comparison of the essential oil components from the peel of Citron (Citrus medica L.) by using two extraction methods (hydrodistillation and cold press)

The citron (Citrus medica L.) belongs to Rutaceae family. Citron peel oil is widely used in perfume industry, medicine, and food products. In this research the fruits of citron were collected from North of Iran in the fall and peel oil obtained by hydrodistillation and cold-press methods with the extraction efficacy of 0.6% and 0.5% (w/w), respectively. The oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Twenty-five components were identified in the hydrodistilled oil. The main components were limonene (58.3%), γ-terpinene (16.8%), geranial (6%) neral (4.8%), geranyl acetate (1.4%) and geraniol (1.36%). Twenty-three components were characterized in cold-pressed oil with limonene (63.7%), γ-terpinene (21.7%) and geranial (1.3%) as the main components.