Citrus Extract—A Natural Preservative

August 5, 2008

Thanks to the Israeli company Citramed, there may be a natural and non-toxic way to keep your beauty and health products paraben-free—using citrus peel. Citramed squeezes all the antibacterial properties found in the rind of citrus fruit and applies it as a preservative, not only in health products but also in the food industry.

The company has filed a patent for more than 80 possible uses. Applications are based on the company’s active ingredient “CPE,” which has been found to protect humans, animals, and plants against a wide variety of bacteria, fungi, and yeast.

Lior Rosental, the outgoing CEO of Citramed, told ISRAEL21c, “Ninety-four percent of the cosmetic preservatives are parabens…Parabens can cause skin irritation and cancers.” He explains that the citrus peel has a natural defense mechanism that protects its fruit against microorganism attack. Using a simple water-based process, Citramed found a way to enhance the citrus peel’s effectiveness. “The technology copies the natural process…As far as we know there are no natural preservatives available worldwide.”

Organic and natural cosmetics sold in the United States have been found to be much less health-friendly than people realize. Reports published by the Organic Consumer’s Association in the United States detail shocking amounts of non-natural compounds added to products labeled “organic,” and the health dangers such additions pose. Hopefully, Citramed will be able to help these companies become what they are claiming and make products safer. For more information: [email protected]; (972) 8-687-1544.

Adapted from an article
by Karin Kloosterman, www.israel21c.org

Photo Credit: www.israelimages.com/Ram Meir