Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service, the chief scientific research agency of the US Department of Agriculture, are exploring the health benefits of citrus limonoids, compounds found in citrus fruits such as oranges.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


In laboratory tests with animals and with human cells, citrus limonoids have already been shown to help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon. But now Agricultural Research Service scientists in northern California, led by chemist Gary Manners, are uncovering new details about these compounds.


Manners and co-researchers have demonstrated that each time we bite into a citrus slice or drink a glass of orange juice, our bodies can readily access a limonoid called limonin. The body derives limonin from a parent compound, limonin glucoside, which is present in citrus fruits and citrus juices in about the same amount as vitamin C, according to Manners.


In other early work, Manners and colleagues found that limonin may lower cholesterol. Now, the researchers are taking a closer look at limonin’s potential cholesterol-lowering effects. Preliminary results of the cholesterol study are expected later this year.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact