Limonene is a chemical compound found in citrus fruit peels that can exist as l-limonene or d-limonene. The d version is used in food, cleaning, and beauty products, while the l version is used as a solvent. Limonene is extracted from orange peels and is non-caustic on metal surfaces but can degrade plastic. It is a mild skin irritant and flammable. Studies are being conducted to see if the d version can be used to treat cancer.
Limonene is a chemical compound that can manifest itself in two ways, as l-limonene or d-limonene. The two are mirror images of each other chemically and have the same properties, but different scents. The “d” version has a typical citrus smell and is used in food grade products, cleaning products and beauty products, while the “l” tends to have a more acidic scent similar to turpentine mixed with pine and is used mainly as an alternative solvent for cleaning products. Both versions can be produced as a technical grade and are produced in the same way, but chemically separated by scientists. The molecule itself is the compound C10H16.
The name derives from “lemon” and “lime”, as it is most commonly found in the peel of citrus fruits. The most common source from which it is extracted is orange peel. The rinds are first squeezed to create a food-grade limonene product, then sent to a steam extractor. The extractor pushes out more oils. The vapor is compressed and the oil floats to the top where it can be collected. This oil is of technical quality.
Technical limonene has been used in cleaning products since the 1990s. Orange essence is a pleasant smelling cleaner. Many consumers value a natural product over man-made alternatives. Those interested in conservation find the use of the chemical attractive, since the peels of oranges used as food products were previously discarded, but have now found a new use. Limonene has been found to be non-caustic on metal surfaces, but can degrade in plastic. This fact makes it an effective adhesive remover. It is a colorless liquid which is not soluble in water.
The boiling range of pure limonene is 310-352 degrees Fahrenheit (154-177 degrees Celsius). The flash point is 119 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius), which classifies it as a flammable product. This means that it is also classified as a hazardous material for disposal.
Limonene, in its pure form, is classified as a mild skin irritant, but is much safer for the skin than alternative cleaning solvents. No significant studies have been conducted on the safety or hazard of the chemical to humans on a random basis. Long-term exposure studies have shown it to be a mild respiratory irritant.
Studies are underway to see if the “d” food version of the substance can be used to treat cancer. In some studies, mammary tumors in rats appeared to shrink after a regiment of ingestion. Efficacy has yet to be demonstrated in human patients, but tests are underway to see if animal results can be duplicated.
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