Citrus limon: a source of flavonoids of pharmaceutical interest

Some of the medicinal properties of lemons are due to the flavonoids they contain since they are involved in many biological activities and have many health-related functions. The levels of the principal flavanones and flavone found in different cultivars of Citrus limon, are analysed in an attempt to identify the most interesting as regards the content of such secondary compounds. The results show that the immature fruits from cultivars Lisbon and Fino-49 are ideal for obtaining the flavanone hesperidin, while the mature fruits of cultivar Fino-49 and the leaves of cultivar Eureka are the most interesting for obtaining the flavone diosmin and the flavanone eriocitrin.