Grapefruits for Immune Defense
(The FDA has not evaluated
this information. This information is not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a
specific health condition consult a qualified physician. Extracts from grapefruit seeds are nutritional
supplements, NOT drugs.)
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Grapefruit pulp and seeds
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The pulp and seeds of the grapefruit contain an antimicrobial
compound.
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This antimicrobial compound is described as " diphenol hydroxybenzene
complex."
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The pulp and seeds have been used in personal care, food cleaning and
preparation and other cleaning activities.
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Grapefruit seed extract is used as an antimicrobial agent in
numerous cosmetic products.
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(Some controversy exists about some preparations that may contain
preservatives (e.g.,benzethonium chloride, methyl parabene, or
triclosan) that have antimicrobial properties. Ingestion of such substance
is NOT recommended.)
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Bacteria
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It can act against many gram negative bacteria.
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It can act against many gram positive bacteria.
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Campylobacter jejuni
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Chlamydia trachomatis
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Heliobacter pylori
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Fungus
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It has worked against a number of fungi and yeasts.
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Aspergillus niger
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Aspergillus fumigatus
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Candida albicans
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Epidermophyton floccosum
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Keritinomyces ajelloi
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Monilia albicans
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae
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Trichophyton mentagrophytes
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Trichophyton rubrum
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Trichophyton tonsurans
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Parasites
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Entamoeba histolytica
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Giardia lamblia
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Virus
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Herpes simplex 1
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Influenza A2
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Animal feed *
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Grapefruit extract acts as a mold inhibitor.
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Grapefruit extract acts as an anti-parasitic compound.
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It is effective between 100 ppm and 1000 ppm depending on the target
organism ("bug").
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Agriculturical *
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Grapefruit extract is reported to work as an effective
bactericide.
- It has been applied in pre- and post harvet
treatments.
- The dose range applied has been between 50-250 ppm.
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Cosmetic and personal care *
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Grapefruit extract works as an antimicrobial in
cosmetic and personal care products.
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The dose range applied has been between 1000-10,000
ppm.
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Grapefruit extract works as a cleaning agent in
personal care products.
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Food *
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Grapefruit extract can
function as a preservative.
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Grapefruit extract has antioxidant properties.
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The dose range applied has been between 10-250 ppm.
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Therapeutic *
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It has been used for a variety of therapeutic purposes.
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Refer to The Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract for more details.
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Water treatment *
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Grapefruit extract can serve as a disinfectant for contaminated
water.
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The dose range applied has been between 50-250 ppm.
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(*International registrations only, not in the
United States.)
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Acute oral toxicity
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Lethal dose for fifty percent of tested organisms (LD50): greater than
5000 mg./kg of live weight.
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Chronic toxicity
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Lethal dose for fifty percent of tested organisms (LD50): 2500 mg/kg of live weight.
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(24 month study with continuous feeding of rats and guinea
pigs.)
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Carcinogencity
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Grapefruit extract has not been show to have any carcinogenic effects.
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Eye toxicity
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Irritation has been observed at concentrations between 0.5-2%.
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Slight corneal and iris injury has been seen at full strength.
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Respiratory toxicity
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No damage was seen with 8 hours daily for five days a week over a period
of 90 days with a dose between 100-150 mg/m3 of air.
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Skin toxicity
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Two years of exposure caused no carcinogenic, toxic or system
effects with dermal exposure.
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No irritation is seen with 1-2% concentration exposures.
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Allergic persons may experience mild irritation with 3%
concentrations.
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GRAS
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Products contain grapefruit extract have been recognized under the
category of "generally recognized as safe. "
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Biodegradability
- Grapefruit extract is biodegradable.
- It meets the standards set by the ASTM Standards, Section 11. Water and Environmental Technology Procedure E 1196-2
- pp. 879-901.
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Amino acid uptake
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Grapefruit extract interferes with amino acid uptake in
microbes.
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Cell membranes
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Grapefruit extract produces disorganized cell membranes in
microbes.
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Grapefruit extract causes leakage of small molecules out of the
microbes.
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Armando C et al. (1998)
Antioxidant activity of grapefruit seed extract on vegetable oils.
J Sci Food Agric 77:463-467.
Cho SH et al. (1993)
Prevention from microbial post-harvetr injury of fruits and vegetables by using grapefruit seed extract, a natural antimicrobial agent.
J Korean Agric Chem Soc 36:265-270.
Sachs A (1997)
The Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract.
Life Rhythm Mendocino, CA
von Woedtke et al. (1999)
Aspects of the antimicrobial efficacy of grapefruit seed extract and its relation to preservative substances containted.
Pharmazie 54:452-456.
Other
Resources
Citracidal Grapefruit Seed and Pulp Extract (1994)
Biochem/ Research Lakeport, CA (BULK MANUFACTURER)
(Note: This literature contains compilation of minimum
inhibitory concentration in-vitro (MIC) for many bacteria, fungi, yeast and
other organisms.)
The GSE Report
Praxus, Inc. Novato, CA (BULK MANUFACTURER)
(Note: This report contains reference to studies by the
FDA, Universities and research institutions working with grapefruit seed
extract.)
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MEND :
Grapefruits for Immune Defense
created by Carl R. Hansen, Jr. M.D.
last modified: September 9, 2001
4601 Excelsior Boulevard, Suite 300, St. Louis
Park, Minnesota USA Phone: 952-920-8801, Fax: 952-920-2121
Under the copyright laws, this
document may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to
any electronic medium or machine readable form, in part or in whole, without the
prior written consent of Carl R. Hansen, Jr., M.D., MEND. Copyright 2001 Carl R.
Hansen, Jr., M.D. MEND, 4601 Excelsior Blvd., Suite 300, St. Louis Park,
Minnesota, USA 55416
URL: https://www.mend.net/immune/grapefruit.html
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