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| Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), also known by grapefruit pulp extract, is a quaternary liquid derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit. This extract has been alleged by some practitioners of alternative medicine to possess antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Indeed, it has been recommended by some nutritionists for the treatment of candidiasis, earache, throat infections, and diarrhea. An early proponent was Jacob Harich (1919–1996). | |||
| This ] is often prescribed by practitioners of ] for its ], ], and ] properties. ]s recommend it for the treatment of ], ], throat infections, ], as well as many other ailments. | |||
| Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), also known by citrus seed extract, is a quaternary liquid derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit. This extract has been alleged by some practitioners of alternative medicine to possess antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Indeed, it has been recommended by some nutritionists for the treatment of candidiasis, earache, throat infections, and diarrhea. An early proponent was Jacob Harich (1919–1996). | |||
| Anecdotal claims for an antimicrobial effect are supported by a small scientific literature which apparently demonstrate an antimicrobial effect in in vitro assays such as the agar diffusion test , , . However, there is some evidence that the anti-microbial activity associated with grapefruit seed extract is attributable to the contamination or adulteration of commercial GSE preparations with synthetic antimicrobials or preservatives. Independent studies have shown that commercial preparations contain the compound benzalkonium chloride, which is a synthetic antimicrobial commonly used in disinfectants and cleaning products, the related compound benzethonium chloride, the antibiotic triclosan, or the preservative methyl paraben , , . Some samples were shown to contain up to 22% benzalkonium chloride by weight, despite the known allergenicity and toxicity of the compound at higher doses . These chemicals were not present in grapefruit seed extracts prepared in the laboratory, and GSE preparations without the contaminants were found to possess no significant antimicrobial effect . | Anecdotal claims for an antimicrobial effect are supported by a small scientific literature which apparently demonstrate an antimicrobial effect in in vitro assays such as the agar diffusion test , , . However, there is some evidence that the anti-microbial activity associated with grapefruit seed extract is attributable to the contamination or adulteration of commercial GSE preparations with synthetic antimicrobials or preservatives. Independent studies have shown that commercial preparations contain the compound benzalkonium chloride, which is a synthetic antimicrobial commonly used in disinfectants and cleaning products, the related compound benzethonium chloride, the antibiotic triclosan, or the preservative methyl paraben , , . Some samples were shown to contain up to 22% benzalkonium chloride by weight, despite the known allergenicity and toxicity of the compound at higher doses . These chemicals were not present in grapefruit seed extracts prepared in the laboratory, and GSE preparations without the contaminants were found to possess no significant antimicrobial effect . | ||
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| == References == | == References == | ||
| *Sims, Judith Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Gale Group, 2001. | |||
| Sharamon, S., Baginski, B.J. The Healing Power of Grapefruit Seed. Lotus Press, Wisconsin. 1996. ISBN 0914955276 | |||
| Sachs, A. The Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract : Stay Healthy Naturally: A Natural Alternative for Treating Colds, Infections, Herpes, Candida and Many Other Ailments. LifeRhythm, Medocino, California, 1997. ISBN 0940795175 | |||
| Sakamoto, S., Sato, K., Maitani, T., Yamada, T. Analysis of components in natural food additive “grapefruit seed extract” by HPLC and LC/MS. Bull. Natl. Inst. Health Sci. 1996, 114:38–42. | |||
| von Woedtke, T., Schlüter, B., Pflegel, P., Lindequist, U.; Jülich, W.-D. Aspects of the antimicrobial efficacy of grapefruit seed extract and its relation to preservative substances contained. Pharmazie 1999 54:452–456. | |||
| Takeoka, G., Dao, L., Wong, R.Y., Lundin, R., Mahoney N. Identification of benzethonium chloride in commercial grapefruit seed extracts. J Agric Food Chem. 2001 49(7):3316–20 | |||
| Takeoka, G.R., Dao, L.T., Wong, R.Y., Harden L.A. Identification of benzalkonium chloride in commercial grapefruit seed extracts. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 53(19):7630–6 | |||
| Eleraky, N.Z., Potgieter, L.N., Kennedy, M.A. Virucidal efficacy of four new disinfectants. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2002 38(3):231–4 | |||
| This complementary and alternative medicine-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 23:36, 26 August 2006
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), also known by grapefruit pulp extract, is a quaternary liquid derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit. This extract has been alleged by some practitioners of alternative medicine to possess antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Indeed, it has been recommended by some nutritionists for the treatment of candidiasis, earache, throat infections, and diarrhea. An early proponent was Jacob Harich (1919–1996).
Anecdotal claims for an antimicrobial effect are supported by a small scientific literature which apparently demonstrate an antimicrobial effect in in vitro assays such as the agar diffusion test , , . However, there is some evidence that the anti-microbial activity associated with grapefruit seed extract is attributable to the contamination or adulteration of commercial GSE preparations with synthetic antimicrobials or preservatives. Independent studies have shown that commercial preparations contain the compound benzalkonium chloride, which is a synthetic antimicrobial commonly used in disinfectants and cleaning products, the related compound benzethonium chloride, the antibiotic triclosan, or the preservative methyl paraben , , . Some samples were shown to contain up to 22% benzalkonium chloride by weight, despite the known allergenicity and toxicity of the compound at higher doses . These chemicals were not present in grapefruit seed extracts prepared in the laboratory, and GSE preparations without the contaminants were found to possess no significant antimicrobial effect .
A study that examined the antiviral properties of GSE found that GSE had no efficacy as a disinfectant for feline calicivirus and feline parvovirus At this time, the efficacy of GSE as an antimicrobial must be regarded as unestablished.
Science
GSE kills micro–organisms by disolving their cell walls, as stated by Dr. Sung-Hwan of Abcom Chemi Co., LTD:
- Considering all the electron micrographs, we believe that the microbial uptake of GSE alters the cell membrane (the envelope surrounding living cells) by inhibiting enzymatic activities...You can see the loss of cytoplasmic membrane.
Dr. Roger Wyatt, professor at the University of Georgia also found the deactivation of the cytoplamic membranes of bacteria while performing research on GSE as an organic disinfectant:
- The lack of significant toxicological properties of GSE is also impressive when one views the efficacy data...extremely small concentrations of the product can be used with marked beneficial results.
The mechanism by which GSE affects the cell membranes of such a diverse group of microbes without virtually any toxicity to animal life will prove to be a very interesting study.
Claims for an antimicrobial effect in GSE are supported by scientific in vitro assays such as the agar diffusion test , , .
General Use
GSE has been shown to be highly effective again a broad spectrum of bacteria, including Staphyloccus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Psudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigelia dysenteriae, Legionella pneumoniae, Clostridium tetani, Deploccus pneumoniae, and many others. It is also a strong inhibitor of pathogenic fungi and yeast.
- mouth and lips: mouthwash, mouth ulcers, thrush, bad breath, cracked lips, sunburns, cold sores
- nose and sinuses: sinusitis, runny nose (rhinitis)
- throat: soar throat, tonsillitis, coughs, laryngitis
- ears: ear cleaning, earaches, otitis media
- skin: small cuts, abrations, burns, rashes, dermatitis, psoriasis, shingles, eczema, bites and stings, leg ulcers, warts, skin fungi
- feet: athelete's foot, corns, blisters, nail fungi, cuticular infections
- genitals: vaginitis, yeast infections, vaginal parasites, other fungal and parasitic diseases
- colds and influenza
- acute and chronic inflammations
- scalp and hair: shampoo, dandruff, head lice
- gastrointestinal infections
- Candida albicans and other fungal diseases
- allergies
Preperation
GSE is prepared by grinding grapefrute seeds into a fine powder which is dissolved into purified water and distilled to remove fiber and pectin. The distilled aqueous solution is spray dried at a low temperature forming a grapefruit bioflavonoid concentrate powder. The powder is then dissolved in vegetable glycerin and heated while food grade ammonium chloride and ascorbic acid are added. The mixture is pressure cooked, undergoing catalytic conversion using enzymes and hydrochloric acid. This slurry is then cooled, filtered and treated with ultraviolet light. Standardized GSE contains 60% grapefruit extract and 40% vegetable glycerin.
For most applications of GSE, 15 drops in 8 oz of water is used.
Precautions and Side Effects
GSE has been shown to be non-toxic in doses many times greater than recommended. Even when regularly overdosed, GSE seldom produces a noticable allergic reaction. However, people who are allergic to citris fruits should exercise caution using GSE and should consult their physician preceeding any treatment.
Generally GSE is very acidic, with a ph of 2, compared to the human body at a ph of 7.5 and water at 7. The acidity of GSE can irritate biological tissues if not dilluted properly.
References
Sharamon, S., Baginski, B.J. The Healing Power of Grapefruit Seed. Lotus Press, Wisconsin. 1996. ISBN 0914955276 Sachs, A. The Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract : Stay Healthy Naturally: A Natural Alternative for Treating Colds, Infections, Herpes, Candida and Many Other Ailments. LifeRhythm, Medocino, California, 1997. ISBN 0940795175 Sakamoto, S., Sato, K., Maitani, T., Yamada, T. Analysis of components in natural food additive “grapefruit seed extract” by HPLC and LC/MS. Bull. Natl. Inst. Health Sci. 1996, 114:38–42. von Woedtke, T., Schlüter, B., Pflegel, P., Lindequist, U.; Jülich, W.-D. Aspects of the antimicrobial efficacy of grapefruit seed extract and its relation to preservative substances contained. Pharmazie 1999 54:452–456. Takeoka, G., Dao, L., Wong, R.Y., Lundin, R., Mahoney N. Identification of benzethonium chloride in commercial grapefruit seed extracts. J Agric Food Chem. 2001 49(7):3316–20 Takeoka, G.R., Dao, L.T., Wong, R.Y., Harden L.A. Identification of benzalkonium chloride in commercial grapefruit seed extracts. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 53(19):7630–6 Eleraky, N.Z., Potgieter, L.N., Kennedy, M.A. Virucidal efficacy of four new disinfectants. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2002 38(3):231–4
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