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How can the concentrated-citrus-juice industry produce essential oils as a by-product?
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Essential oil
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The concentrated-citrus-juice industry produces essential oils as a by-product through a process known as expression.1
Because citrus fruits store their essential oils within the outer colored peel, the industry utilizes specialized presses to squeeze these peels. Once the oil is released from the peel, the resulting mixture is decanted or centrifuged to effectively separate the oil from any remaining water and cell debris. This method is commonly applied to various citrus fruits, including lemon, lime, grapefruit, and several varieties of orange, allowing manufacturers to recover valuable volatile oils alongside the primary production of juice.1