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Citrus sinensis
Citrus aurantium var. sinensis
Sweet orange oil is not phototoxic, unlike bitter orange and other phototoxic citrus oils such as bergamot, expressed lemon, and expressed lime. No bergapten was detected in 5 samples of Citrus sinensis from different sources.
Classified as GRAS by the US FDA.
Very low skin irritation and sensitization risk. At 8 percent and 100 percent tested on 25 volunteers: not irritating. At 8 percent: not sensitizing. In 100 contact dermatitis patients tested with 5 percent Brazilian orange oil: no reactions.
(+)-Limonene oxidation products (over 90 percent of the oil) may sensitize skin. Store in dark, sealed, refrigerated container; antioxidant addition mandatory during formulation.
No data indicates hazard in pregnancy. Considered among the safest oils for pregnant women and children.
In vitro, sweet orange oil along with citral, octanal, and decanal induces apoptosis of HL-60 leukemia cells.
| (+)-Limonene (American) | 93.2 – 94.9 % |
| (+)-Limonene (Brazilian) | 86.1 – 93.4 % |
| (+)-Limonene (Italian) | 93.7 – 95.9 % |
| (+)-Limonene (Spanish) | 95.6 % |
| (+)-Limonene (Chinese) | 83.9 % |
| β-Myrcene | 0.9 – 3.3 % |
| α-Pinene | 0.6 – 1.0 % |
| Linalool (Chinese CT) | 5.6 % |
| Geranial (Chinese CT) | 1.8 % |
| Neral (Chinese CT) | 1.3 % |
| Sabinene | 0.2 – 1.0 % |
| β-Bisabolene | 0 – 1.5 % |
Citrus sinensis is the sweet orange tree, originating from China and Southeast Asia, widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics.
The essential oil is expressed from fresh peel. It is the most-produced essential oil in the world by volume, largely a byproduct of the orange juice industry.
Main production: Brazil (largest, over 50 percent), USA (Florida, California), Spain, Italy, China. Each region produces a slightly different aromatic profile.
Vietnam grows sweet orange across many regions, including Ha Giang, Ha Tinh, Ben Tre, and Dong Thap. There is potential to develop a domestic sweet orange essential oil industry from juice-extraction byproducts.
Blood orange, Citrus sinensis cv. Sanguinelli and cv. Moro, is a variety of sweet orange. Blood orange oil has a similar aroma to sweet orange but deeper, owing to anthocyanin pigments in the peel.
Family Rutaceae, same family as bergamot, lemon, mandarin, lime, and grapefruit.
Sweet orange oil is not heavily adulterated due to its low price. However it may be mixed with synthetic limonene or terpene hydrocarbon blends.
Different sources have different profiles: Brazilian has (+)-limonene 86-93%, the largest volume but variable chemistry. Italian (Sicilian) has (+)-limonene 94-96% and a cleaner aroma. Chinese has higher linalool and citral than other sources, a notably different profile.
Verify quality by GC-MS. High linalool and citral are markers of Chinese sweet orange (sometimes also adulteration with cheap citrus byproducts).
Fresh cold-pressed sweet orange has a bright, intense aroma. Aged and oxidized oil takes on a resinous, sharp note, unsuited to premium cosmetics.
Notable in vitro antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity, (+)-limonene is among the most extensively studied anticancer natural compounds.
In perfumery, sweet orange is a top note for fresh brightness. In food and beverage flavoring, sweet orange dominates production volume.
In cosmetics, sweet orange is among the most suitable citrus oils for leave-on products thanks to its non-phototoxic profile. Can be used in sunscreens, body lotions, and perfume without concern for adverse effects.
In aromatherapy, sweet orange is considered one of the most popular 'mood-lifting' oils, familiar, fresh, and warm.
Sweet orange oil is the cheapest among common essential oils, suited to high-volume products, soap, and candles. Bergamot-to-sweet-orange price ratio can reach 1:20.