The Citricidal Story
Citricidal was originally developed by a German
physicist and immunologist, Jacob Harish, as an antiparasitic. Dr. Harish was finally in the
1960's able to convince researchers at the University of Florida at Gainesville to experiment with the use of
grapefruit extract as an alternative to then-current chemicals for the protection of fruit and
vegetables. They were quickly won over with GSE's amazing ability to inhibit the growth of
not only parasites, but fungi and bacteria as well. Tests conducted by the U.S. Dept. of
Agriculture in the early 1980's confirmed that Citricidal, as it was then called, was effective
in inhibiting viral strains in cattle and hogs, and was approved for the USDA's Evian Influenza
Eradication Program in 1984. Sadly, USDA's promise to investigate further uses for Citricidal in
these areas has never materialized.
Since the mid-1980's, the production team at Citricidal®
worked closely with Dr. Harish, perfected the manufacturing process, opened new facilities, and pioneered the
use of Citricidal® beyond it's original application.
Citricidal® is synthesized from the polyphenolic compounds found
in grapefruit seed and pulp. Numerous reactions are involved,
including distillation, catalytic conversion, and ammoniation. The active
component of Citricidal is a quaternary ammonium chloride(a diphenol hydroxybenzene
reacted with ammonium chloride) similiar to benzethonium chloride
when analysed in accordance with USP XXII/NF XVII. (Benz. Chloride is a powerful germical agent, but
is highly toxic to all animal life. See info on toxicity, below)
Residues of pesticides, fungicides and preservatives have always been
a concern with regards to our product. The use of these compounds is common
in the agricultural and botanical industries in the United States as well
as abroad. In addition, the extraction processes involved in botanicals
would not necessarily remove these compounds. Therefore, every batch of Citricidal®
is certified for the absence of such residues, as well as the absence of Triclosan,
a common germicide and preservative. Independent labs have confirmed these results.
(see United States Testing Company
Report No. 405993, dated 9/8/95). The results show no trace of triclosan,
while displaying very strong antimicrobial activity. Every batch of Citricidal is
tested and certified free from chemical and heavy metal contamination. And in an attempt to further
improve the product, a source of grapefruit
seed and pulp from Certified Organically Grown grapefruits has been secured.
To further show the safety of Citricidal, an Acute Oral Toxicity Study
was performed(see Northview Pacific Labs Report No. X5E015G, dated 7/6/95).
Results showed that Citricidal is considered non-toxic by oral ingestion
with an LD50 of over 5000 mg/kg of live body weight. This is the equivalent
of a 200 lb. person drinking close to 1 lb. of pure Citricidal daily for
two weeks, before risking a 50% risk of fatal poisoning. (There are close to 20,000 drops in
one pound of Citricidal liquid. The recommended adult dose is 5-6 drops at a time.)
According to the Association of Poison Control Centers, the AMA Physician
Reporting System, and the Journal of Emergency Medicine, there have been
no reports that Citricidal has ever harmed anyone. In fact, there are thousands
of clinical and anecdotal reports that Citricidal has helped many, and
enjoys a safety record going back more than 30 years.
Over the years, numerous and differing analytical tests have been performed to determine
the active components of Citricidal. The test results have quite often
varied, for the following reasons: a.) varying test procedures, b.) different
chemicals used in the test procedures producing false positives, c.) different
interpretations of test procedures resulting in false positives, and d.)
the different background of the chemists involved, organic chemistry vs.
inorganic chemistry being an issue. The similarity in molecular weight between Citricidal and
both Benzelkonium Chloride and Benzelthonium Chloride has wrongly influenced some(including drug and
chemical manufacturers) to assert that
Citricidal has been "spiked" with these poisons. (They are both powerful industrial disinfectants,
and are even found in some consumer goods in the U.S.) But once again, independent lab tests,
and a 30-year track record of safe use as a human therapeutic speak loudly against such slander.
More on quaternary compounds here.
"Citricidal®" is the trademark of our professional-strength product,
available in both liquid and powder form. "Nutribiotic®" is
the trademark of our growing consumer line of products containing Citricidal®
in measured quantities, along with other, thoroughly tested ingredients, insuring the
highest quality, potency, and safety.
With so many products on the market making so many claims, a measure of skepticism about GSE is understable. But consider that
Citricidal® and NutriBiotic® extracts have been used in their present form for some 10 years, all over the world. Virtually all of our bulk-order customers have had the product tested
in the laboratory before buying. Even without the advantages afforded the pharmaceutical establishment, Citricidal® and NutriBiotic® have gained wide acceptance. Production
for 1998 exceeded 1.5 million pounds. As more uses are discovered, and more testing is done to confirm its safety and
efficacy, it is certain that many more questions about agricultural, environmental, and human health will be answered with
Citricidal® Grapefruit Seed Extract.
Click here for more Grapefruit Extract information.
Lab reports on grapefruit seed extract, technical data, common uses, feedback from doctors and consumers,
FAQ's, dosages, discussions, newsletter, and lots more.
How specific common problems have been treated: candidiasis, parasites, sinusitis, athlete's foot, colds & flu,
ulcers, pets and livestock, crops and foodstuffs, applications as germicide, preservative, and preventive.
Click here for Secure Ordering of
Grapefruit seed extract products.
GSE liquid concentrate, capsules, tablets, first-aid spray, dental gel, skin cleansers, ear drops, etc.
Nutriteam®, Prozone®, NutriBiotic®. Citricidal® liquid and powder concentrates.
Special reduced prices.
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