Peels of fruits have a natural function to protect the whole fruit. The peels contain various components protecting the fruits against solar radiation, weather changes, oxidation caused by oxygen, as well as the invasion of microorganisms (germs) and insects.
If you wish to look for a dried pomelo peel as a snack, we have three variants:
- Dried pomelo peel, 2. dried pomelo peel with passion fruit, 3. dried pomelo peel with honey, 4. crispy dried pomelo peel
Pomelo peel, including the green outer layer and the white layer inside, is rich in natural antioxidants (phenolic compounds, essential oil components). These are considered to be good for human health upon consumption because of their effects in anti-inflammation, reduction of triglyceride, anti-cancer, decrease in oxidation processes and alleviation of negative effects of oxidation, and protection of cells. Followings are the striking health beneficial properties of pomelo peel.
1 Antihyperlipidemia and body weight control
Pomelo peel is an ancient cure to reduce body fat. A number of modern studies have been carried out. In those studies, rats fed with a high-fat diet for a period of time showed increased serum concentrations of triglycerides and bad cholesterol, increased level of blood glucose. However, when the diet was supplemented with pomelo peel extract or powder, significant effects on antihyperlipidemia and significant reduction in blood glucose were observed. The high-fat diet with the supplementation of pomelo peel extract did not increase weight of rats compared to normal diet while the high-fat diet without pomelo peel did gain weight. Pomelo peel extracts also showed to reduce metabolic disorders induced by high fat consumption. Fat in liver was also reduced by pomelo peel extract. In some other study, pomelo peel was stronger than lemon and orange peel in these positive effects.
2 Antihyperglycaemic/ anti-diabetic
Naringin and naringenin (flavonoids responsible for bitterness in the peel) have strong antihyperglycaemic properties. In recent years, these effects of the components have been attracted many scientific researches. Besides the effects of lowering blood glucose and improvement in insulin resistance, study results also showed that naringin has appealing protective or alleviating effects against diseases and negative impacts caused by complications of diabetics such as ketoacidosis, oxidative stress, chromosomal instability, diabetic kidney disease, and fibrosis of the heart.
3 Lowering absorption of cholesterol and triglycerides
Pomelo peel is rich in dietary fibers like hemicellulose and pectin. Pomelo peel is free from cholesterol. Fibers add to the bulkiness of the food and help cut down overall calorie intake, which leads to better body weight control. Dietary fiber can capture and reduce the absorption of cholesterol and triglycerides into intestinal wall. Epidemiological studies have shown that individuals with high intakes of dietary fiber appear to be at significantly lower risk for developing coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and certain gastrointestinal diseases. Many people nowadays, including children do not intake enough fiber according to recommendations.
4 Improvement of gastrointestinal tract health
Dietary fiber uptakes water and that it improves the bowel movement and alleviates constipation. Dietary fiber has been shown to improve the diversity of gut microbiota. The gut microorganisms can, at some extent, digest fiber and produce short chain fatty acids which in turn reduce the risk of colonic cancer. Fibers can bind to toxic chemicals in the food and prevent them contacting with and damaging gut mucosa.
5 Antimicrobial properties
Citrus fruit peel, generally, or pomelo peel, particularly, has a high amount of essential oil containing various components such as limonene, g-terpinene, pinene …Besides strong antioxidant capacity, essential oils are antimicrobial against pathogens, especially Gram-negative ones. Because of the antimicrobial properties, citrus fruit peel is used traditionally to treat sore throat and cough.
PROCESSING PROCEDURE at VIETNAM DRIED FRUIT
Dried pomelo peel is processed according to a meticulous procedure developed from research project results at Nong Lam University – Ho Chi Minh City in cooperation with Ghent University. The processing is necessary because it helps improve the sensorial quality (e.g., texture and taste) of the product. The processing should be, however, studied and controlled carefully to, at one hand, generate safe and delicious products and, at the other hand, preserve valuable bioactive components occurring naturally (originally) in the raw material.
Using pomelo peel as food is not only good for health but also friendly to environment because this reduces the waste discarded to the environment. This is actually a win-win situation for both our body and our environment.
If you wish to look for a dried pomelo peel as a snack, we have three variants:
- Dried pomelo peel, 2. dried pomelo peel with passion fruit, 3. dried pomelo peel with honey, 4. crispy dried pomelo peel
6 References
Adebiyi, O. A., O. O. Adebiyi, et al. (2016). “Naringin Reduces Hyperglycemia-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis by Relieving Oxidative Stress.” Plos One 11(3).
Anderson, J. W., P. Baird, et al. (2009). “Health benefits of dietary fiber.” Nutrition Reviews 67(4): 188-205.
Caengprasath, N., S. Ngamukote, et al. (2013). “The protective effects of pomelo extract (citrus grandis l. Osbeck) against fructose-mediated protein oxidation and glycation.” Excli Journal 12: 491-502.
Castro-Vazquez, L., M. E. Alanon, et al. (2016). “Bioactive Flavonoids, Antioxidant Behaviour, and Cytoprotective Effects of Dried Grapefruit Peels (Citrus paradisi Macf.).” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.
Chen, F. Q., N. Zhang, et al. (2015). “Naringin Alleviates Diabetic Kidney Disease through Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Reaction.” Plos One 10(11).
Ding, X. B., L. Guo, et al. (2013). “Extracts of Pomelo Peels Prevent High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Disorders in C57BL/6 Mice through Activating the PPAR alpha and GLUT4 Pathway.” Plos One 8(10).
Ezekwesili-Ofili, J. O. and N. C. Gwacham (2015). “Comparative effects of peel extract from Nigerian grown citrus on body weight, liver weight and serum lipids in rats fed a high-fat diet ” African Journal of Biochemistry Research 9(9): 110-116.
Ezekwesili-Ofili, J. O. and N. C. Gwacham (2015). “Comparative effects of peel extract from Nigerian grown citrus on body weight, liver weight and serum lipids in rats fed a high-fat diet ” African Journal of Biochemistry Research 9(9): 110-116.
Kumar, P. R. Z. A. and A. Bhaskar (2015). “Evaluation of antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidemic activity of Citrus sinensis peel extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.” International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries 35(4): 448-453.
Mallick, N. and R. A. Khan (2016). “Antihyperlipidemic effects of Citrus sinensis, Citrus paradisi, and their combinations.” Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences 8(2): 112-118.
Murunga, A. N., D. O. Miruka, et al. (2016). “Grapefruit Derived Flavonoid Naringin Improves Ketoacidosis and Lipid Peroxidation in Type 1 Diabetes Rat Model.” Plos One 11(4).
Pashazanousi, M. B., M. Raeesi, et al. (2012). “Chemical Composition of the Essential oil, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Evaluation of Various Extracts from Leaves and Fruit Peels of Citrus limon.” Asian Journal of Chemistry 24(10): 4331-4334.
Sudto, K., S. Pornpakakul, et al. (2009). “An efficient method for the large scale isolation of naringin from pomelo (Citrus grandis) peel.” International Journal of Food Science and Technology 44(9): 1737-1742.
Sudto, K., S. Pornpakakul, et al. (2009). “An efficient method for the large scale isolation of naringin from pomelo (Citrus grandis) peel.” International Journal of Food Science and Technology 44(9): 1737-1742.
Youssef, M. K. E., H. M. K. E. Youssef, et al. (2014). “Evaluation of Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Citrus Peels Powders Fortified Biscuits in Albino Induced Hyperlipidemia.” Food and Public Health 4(1): 1-9.
Zhao, J. Y., L. Li, et al. (2014). “Human plasma protein binding of water soluble flavonoids extracted from citrus peels.” Journal of Central South University 21(7): 2645-2651.
