| Revision as of 18:14, 31 August 2006 editFawcett5 (talk | contribs)Administrators19,539 edits →Scientific research: A more recent 2006 study confirms the contamination.← Previous edit | Revision as of 00:55, 3 September 2006 edit undoDevios (talk | contribs)46 edits →Scientific researchNext edit → | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
| == Scientific research == | == Scientific research == | ||
| Antimicrobial effects of grapefruit seed extract have been demonstrated in '']'' experiments such as the ]. , , However, there is also strong evidence that the anti-microbial effect associated with grapefruit seed extract is attributable to the contamination or ] of commercial GSE preparations with synthetic antimicrobials or preservatives . Studies have shown that commercial preparations contain the compound ], which is a synthetic antimicrobial commonly used in disinfectants and cleaning products, the related compound ], the antibiotic ], or the preservative ]. , , Some samples were shown to contain up to 22% benzalkonium chloride by weight, despite the known ] and ] 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. | Antimicrobial effects of grapefruit seed extract have been demonstrated in '']'' experiments such as the ]. , , However, there is also strong evidence that the anti-microbial effect associated with grapefruit seed extract is attributable to the contamination or ] of commercial GSE preparations with synthetic antimicrobials or preservatives . Studies have shown that some commercial preparations contain the compound ], which is a synthetic antimicrobial commonly used in disinfectants and cleaning products, the related compound ], the antibiotic ], or the preservative ]. , , Some samples were shown to contain up to 22% benzalkonium chloride by weight, despite the known ] and ] 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 ] and ]. | A study that examined the antiviral properties of GSE found that GSE had no efficacy as a disinfectant for ] and ]. | ||
Revision as of 00:55, 3 September 2006
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), also known as grapefruit pulp extract, is a liquid derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit. Although there has been no scientific demonstration of efficacy some practitioners of alternative medicine recommend this extract as an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agent. It is also recommended by some nutritionists for the treatment of candidiasis, earache, throat infections, and diarrhea.
History
An early proponent was Dr. Jacob Harich (1919–1996), a physicist born in Yugoslavia in 1919 and educated in Germany. His studies in nuclear physics were interrupted by World War II. After a traumatizing experience as a fighter pilot, Harich devoted his life to improving the human condition. Harich began the study of grapefruit seed in 1963 after moving to Florida, the heart of grapefruit country. Around 1990 many holistic health practitioners began prescribing GSE to their patients. In 1995 Harich was invited as a guest of honor to the Pasteur Institute of France, where researchers have been testing the extracts potential as a prophylactic against the HIV virus as well as secondary infections associated with AIDS. Harich was honored by European farmers who use the powdered form of GSE in fish and poultry feed to control Salmonella and Escherichia coli .
Preparation
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 to form 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
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 diluted properly. GSE has been shown to be non-toxic in doses many times greater than recommended, and even when regularly overdosed, GSE seldom produces a noticable allergic reaction. However, people who are allergic to citrus fruits should exercise caution in consuming GSE.
Scientific research
Antimicrobial effects of grapefruit seed extract have been demonstrated in in vitro experiments such as the agar diffusion test. , , However, there is also strong evidence that the anti-microbial effect associated with grapefruit seed extract is attributable to the contamination or adulteration of commercial GSE preparations with synthetic antimicrobials or preservatives . Studies have shown that some 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.
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