Bioactive compounds in oranges from the Mediterranean climate area

Abstract Since ancient times, citrus have been considered as an important crop all over the world and particularly in the Mediterranean area, due to their contribution in nutrients and bioactive compounds. Citrus fruit originally come from subtropical and tropical regions of Asia, from where they were introduced into all warm climate regions all around the world. From the phylogenetic point of view, citrus fruit belong to the class Angiospermae, subclass dicotyledoneae, order Rutae (*Sapindales or Rutales*), family Rutaceae, and genus Citrus. This genus has more than 145 botanical species, including sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck.), mandarin (C. reticulata Blanco), lemon (C. limon L. Burn. f.), and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfadyen), which are the main species currently grown in the world. Citrus fruits are a good source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, such as vitamin C (mainly in the form of ascorbic acid), provitamin A (carotenoids, such as β-carotene), vitamin E (mainly in the α-tocopherol isoform), limonoids, phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids), being anthocyanins an important bioactive compound in blood oranges. In addition, many citrus fruits could be considered as source of dietary fiber, mainly soluble fiber fraction and with low energy value (mainly due to the low lipid content). Therefore citrus fruit consumption should be promoted as part of the Mediterranean diet.