Chenpi (dried tangerine peel) extract is a brown, fine powder made from the dried, mature peel of the citrus reticulata Blanco plant (Rutaceae family). Its chemical components include active substances such as hesperidin, nobiletin, and limonene, possessing traditional medicinal value such as regulating qi and strengthening the spleen, and resolving dampness and phlegm. Quality is tested using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV), and product specifications cover various concentration ratios from 10:1 to 30:1. This extract has applications in functional food ingredients and oil-controlling cosmetics, and can be prepared through water extraction, alcohol extraction, or mixed solvent extraction processes.

The original plant is an evergreen small tree or shrub, 3-4 meters tall, with lanceolate to elliptical leaves, 4-11 cm long. Flowers are solitary or clustered, white or pale red. The fruit is a nearly round citrus fruit, 4-7 cm in diameter, with 7-12 segments. The peel needs to be stored for more than three years to be called Chenpi. It is mainly distributed in citrus producing areas south of the Yangtze River. The peel of the mature fruit is extracted and then dried as raw material.

Application

Promotes digestion: Volatile oils (such as limonene) in tangerine peel extract can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices in the gastrointestinal tract, enhance gastrointestinal motility, and relieve symptoms such as bloating and loss of appetite.

Expectorant and antitussive: Flavonoids (such as hesperidin) can thin respiratory mucus, reducing cough and phlegm symptoms.

Antioxidant: Polyphenols can scavenge free radicals, slow down oxidative stress, and help reduce the risk of cell damage.

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory: Volatile oils and flavonoids have inhibitory effects on common pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, while also reducing local inflammatory responses.