Organic wastes of Citrus sinensis Peels- a source of eco-friendly and sustainable bioactive compounds for promoting health

To determine the phytochemicals, radical scavenging and antioxidant potential of orange peel extract. Citrus sinensis were subjected to extraction with ethanol. Gas chromatography (GC) was utilized to determine the phytochemical composition of orange peel extract. Hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, nitric oxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays were conducted to assess radical scavenging potential of the extract. Antioxidant activities of the peel extracts were determined via the 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, ABTS scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay. The GC-FID analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, sapogenin, and steroids in the orange peel extract. The results of radical scavenging assays demonstrated the extract’s ability to scavenge hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radicals. The scavenging capacity of the extract was observed to be concentration-dependent, with comparisons made to standard antioxidants ascorbic acid and BHT. Peels from citrus sinensis represent a valuable source of phytochemicals, demonstrating significant antioxidant and radical scavenging activities.