Rutaceae (Citrus or rue family)

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RUTACEAE 
(Citrus family)

Distinguished by the presence of translucent, very clear dots in the leaves, Rutaceae are usually shrubs or trees with aromatic oil glands. A family of about 150 genera and over 1500 species, Rutaceae are distributed in both tropical and temperate regions, especially in Australia and South Africa. About 25 genera and over 80 species of this family have so far been reported from India. Known throughout the world for its several juicy citrus fruits such as Oranges, Lemons, Grape fruits, etc. Rutaceae members have high percentage of vitamin c as well as several alkaloids. Selected Indian genera are- 
    • Citrus, 
    • Aegle, 
    • Murraya, 
    • Ruta, 
    • Zanthoxylum and 
    • Limonia.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

FRUITS: 
               Rutaceae provides some of the world's most important, tasty and juicy citrus fruits which are richest source of vitamin C. Some of them are:
    • Citrus aurantifolia (Lime. kaghzi nimbu), 
    • C. aurantium (Sour lime), 
    • C. limettioides (Sweet lime), 
    • C. limon (Lemon, galgal), 
    • C. maxima (Shaddock, chakotra), 
    • C. medica (Citron, bark nimbu), 
    • C. paradisi (Grapefruit), 
    • C. reticulata (Orange) and 
    • C. sinensis (Sweet orange, mussambi). 
    • Some other famous fruits of the family include: 
    • Aegle marmelos (bael, bilva), 
    • Evodia fraxinifolia (kanukpa), 
    • Feronia limonia (wood-apple), 
    • Fortunella japonica (kumquat) and 
    • Glycosmis pentaphylla (ban nimbu).
            
Citrus fruits contain citric acid and its salts, sucrose, reducing sugars, fatty and essential oils, glycosides, pectins, anthocyanin, beta carotene, vitamin C and a number of minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, nickel, manganese, boron, cadmium, aluminium and lead).

CONDIMENTS: 
    • Bark of Zanthoxylum alatum (tejpat) is a famous condiment and is used to clean teeth as a carminative and stomachic. 
    • Leaves of Z. limonella are used as a condiment and its fruits are digestive and appetising. 
    • Fruits of Z. nitidum are used as a condiment and its roots are used in toothache.
    • The leaves of Murraya koenigii are mixed with little turmeric to make curry powder in India.
    • Leaves of Evodia lunuranthenoa are also used as a condiment.
MEDICINAL VALUE:
    • A poultice of bark of Acranychia laurifolia is applied on sores and ulcers;
    • Fruit pulp of Aegle marmelos is a mild laxative whereas its roasted fruits are used against diarrhoea and dysentry and its root and stem bark are used in intermittent fever;
    • Oils from the fruits of Atalantia monophylla is useful in paralysis and rheumatism;
    • Leaves of Barosma betulina are used in curing kidney diseases;
    • Bark of Cusparia febrifuga is used in malaria;
    • Bark of Dictamnus albus is useful in nervous diseases and intermittent fevers;
    • Ripe fruits of Fironia limonia are taken as a cardiac tonic;
    • Roots of Glycosmis pentaphylla are used in fever;
    • Bark and roots of Murraya koenigii are used in intestinal disorders;
    • Seeds of Peganum harmala are given in asthma, neuralgia and rheumatism;
    • Leaves of Pilocarpus pinnatifolius are used in kidney troubles;
    • Dried leaves of Ruta graveolens are used as nerve stimulant;
    • Root bark of Toddalia asiatica is a potent antimalarial drug;
    • Seeds of Zanthoxylum alatum are used in cholera;
    • Roots of Z. nitidum are used in toothache.
ORNAMENTAL PLANTS:
Amongst the ornamental shrub and tree genera of Rutaceae are Phellodendron, Ptelea, Choisya, Skimmia and Zanthoxylum. 
Perennial herbs of ornamental value include Dictamnus albus and Ruta graveolens. 
The fragrant-flowered Murraya paniculata is commonly grown for decorative purposes. 
Some other ornamentals include Fortunella japonica, Glycosmis pentaphylla, Luvunga scandens and Poncirus trifolia.

TIMBER:
The wood obtained from: 
    • Choisya, 
    • Chloroxylon swietennia, 
    • Feronia limonia, 
    • Glycosmis pentaphylla, 
    • Murraya paniculata and 
    • Zanthoxylon alatum is used for veneering, making walking sticks, agricultural implements, etc.
OILS:
Essential oils obtained from the leaves and fruit rind of various species of Citrus, Feronia, Murraya, etc are used in medicine and perfumery. Seeds of Citrus bergamia are the source of famous 'bergamot oil'.


Orange Blossom Oil 
(Oil of Neroli)

Orange blossom (flower) oil comes mostly from Citrus aurantium, grown in Italy, Spain and Portugal for the fruit, but in France, almost exclusively for the flowers. Propagation is by seed an dry grafting. A mature tree in a good year may produce unto 15 kilos of flowers. Flowering normally occurs in May. About 80% of oil of neroli is produced by distillation, the remainder by means of volatile solvents. 
Chemically, orange blossom oil consists largely of  linalol and various terpenes (dipentene, pinene and camphene), with some geraniol and other organic compounds. The oil serves chiefly as an extender and as an ingredient in synthetic perfumes and eau de cologne. The oil itself can be synthesized cheaply and readily. Synthetic orange blossom oil is an important item of commerce, and is remarkably similar to natural oil.

 Orange blossom oil is diffferent from orange oil obtained from the rind of the sour orange, and 'petit grain' oil obtained from leaves and twigs.








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