Citrus oils have long been used in the essential oils industry. This is not surprising considering the wide range of citrus available as well as the exceptional benefits oils derived from citrus offer.
The term citrus has Latin/Greek origins, originally derived from the Latin ‘Citron’ described as a pale-yellow fruit. The Citron was the original lemon fruit and the fruit we know as the lemon today was created over time through hybridisation. Through this process (which occurred both naturally and with the help of Botanists) the lemon has been cultivated to be optimal for the natural production of a unique and beneficial essential oil.
Among the wide range of Citrus fruit used for essential oils, lemon is one of the more highly favoured. This may be due to the vast range of benefits and uses that lemon provides. Its uses range from flavouring to cleaning to pharmaceutical and beyond. Lemon Essential Oil is extracted from the peel of the lemon fruit through cold expression. Its main chemical components are a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, a-terpinene, linalool, b-bisabolene, limonene, trans-a-bergamotene, nerol and Neral.
According to the Essential Oils Market by Product Type (Orange, Lemon, Lime, Peppermint, Citronella, Jasmine), Method of Extraction, Application (Food & Beverage, Cosmetics & Toiletries, Aromatherapy, Home Care, Health Care), and Region – Global Forecast to 2022: “The global essential oils market has grown steadily in the last few years. The market size is projected to reach USD 11.19 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 8.83% from 2017 to 2022”. The report further states that this increase can be attributed to the upswing in awareness of preventative healthcare, improved standards of living among consumers, and the increasing of reported cases of depression and anxiety disorders. This has resulted in a growing demand for essential oils for the aromatherapy industry.
In addition, the current global socio-cultural trend is shifting towards chemical free, organic and/or alternative products and modes of health treatment. This has also accounted for the increase in demand for bulk supplies of essential oils, namely citrus. The Clive Teubes Group, for example, moves on average 47 789.42 kgs of Citrus per month.
Focusing specifically on Lemon Essential Oil, its main uses and applications for purchasing this oil in bulk are to satisfy the high demand for lemon in the following industries:
- Food & Beverage Industry: Lemon has a strong, distinct flavour that has been used and favoured in the food and beverage industry for many years. It is used predominantly as a flavouring agent in beverages.
- Cleaning Industry: Due to the two dominant compounds found in Lemon Oil, namely limonene and b-pinene, Lemon Essential Oil works as a natural antimicrobial agent. This makes it a very powerful ingredient within all cleaning products, but especially in organic cleaning products.
- Health Care Industry: Lemon has a vast array of health benefits as it has anti-bacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used for mental health in aromatherapy practices, as it aids in relieving symptoms of stress and fatigue by creating a sense of rejuvenation.
Established in 1983, the Clive Teubes Group has been producing, distributing and exporting superior quality products to both local and international markets for more than three decades. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, its offerings include: Essential Oils, Natural Extracts, Citrus Oils, Flavours & Fragrances, Indigenous Oils, Exotic Oils, Special Extracts, and Aromatics. For more information please request a product brochure from deliwe@teubes.com or visit www.teubes.com.