Limonoids: Advances in Extraction, Characterization, and Applications

Limonoids are highly oxygenated terpenoids that occur exclusively in certain plant families. Meliaceae and Rutaceae encompass many limonoids with a myriad of biological potential. There has been a growing interest in the consumption and exploitation of functional limonoids. Several analytical techniques have been employed to characterize and detect various limonoids. This review explores advanced extraction techniques and novel applications of limonoids in health, agriculture and the food industry, including various pharmaceutical formulations and their potential uses. Additionally, it discusses the different analytical tools used for limonoids characterization, including X-ray crystallography, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, among others. Biological interactions of limonoids with the protein targets are also highlighted.