Orange oil is an essential oil produced by cells within the rind of an orange fruit. In contrast to most essential oils, it is extracted as a by-product of orange juice production by centrifugation, producing a cold-pressed oil.
[1] It is composed of mostly (greater than 90%) d-limonene,
[2] and is often used in place of pure d-limonene. D-limonene can be extracted from the oil by distillation.
Some Interesting uses of Orange Oil:
- The Boeing Company has used citrus to replace metal polishes. In their paint department, citrus replaces dangerous solvents.
- The American Princess Cruise Line uses citrus in the engine room as a heavy duty degreaser.
- When the Exxon Valdez spilled oil over Prince William Sound in Alaska a few years ago, citrus cleaners were used to clean up the oily rocks. They are used by some environmental remediation companies to ‘loosen’ the oil in the ground from leaking storage tanks so that oil eating bacteria can more easily digest the oil, helping protect our drinking water.
- Many printers use citrus cleaners to remove the ink from their press rollers.
- Citrus based cleaners are being tested by some micro chip manufacturers to clean silicone chips before micro circuits are imprinted, replacing ozone damaging CFC’s.
- Another area of expanding interest is the use of citrus to replace insecticides and pesticides in agriculture and home applications. One example of this is the use of citrus in pet shampoos for flea and tick removal.
- Research is also being done at Oregon State University using citrus as an orchard spray to control apple fly maggots & there are some who use citrus extracts to kill fire ants in the Southwest of America.
- Other applications being tested are for use against dry rot termites and cockroaches in homes.