Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

Recently I was afforded the opportunity to ask some questions to Citricidal’s General Manager, Richard Perry, regarding their Grapefruit Seed Extract. The following is what we discussed:

Truth in labeling is what the Natural Ingredient Resource Center (NIRC) is all about. We are not out to demean a product simply because it is synthetic, we just ask that companies be truthful in how they label their products and ingredients for the consumer's sake. I personally feel that if an individual is given enough information and presented with the pros and the cons, they will make better choices for themselves. Ignorance is not always bliss, and in the personal care market, ignorance can lead to allergic reactions, sickness, and in the extreme, death, because a product was not truthfully labeled. The consumer relies on the product maker to be truthful in their labeling.

There are a growing number of consumers that are gravitating to products that are more natural in composition. The small business owners and consumers that seek advice from NIRC have often asked us how "natural" is GSE, and how exactly do I use it? There is a lot of controversy out there regarding Grapefruit Seed Extract and its efficacy in a broad range of products. Of course, there are people on both sides of the fence, for and against.

One thing that keeps coming up is that lab testing has proven that GSE is not "natural". In fact, paraben-based preservatives have been shown to be present. Other tests have shown that a handmade GSE that was not altered in any way, showed zero preservative qualities. To take this point further, a report from The Institute of Pharmacy, Ernst Moritz Arndt University in Greifswald Germany, shows that after testing 5 different grapefruit seed compounds, only those that had preserving chemicals (including, but not limited to) triclosan and methyl paraben, showed any antimicrobial activity.

1. Is GSE all Natural, or is it a chemically altered form of grapefruit seed?

Yes, our grapefruit seed extract (CITRICIDAL), as stated in our literature, is 'synthesized' from grapefruit. The polyphenolic compounds of grapefruit (bioflavonoids) are processed through our proprietary manufacturing process to produce an antimicrobial compound.

Editor’s note: Synthesized as defined by Webster’s Dictionary: 1 a : the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole b : the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound c : the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole; also : the complex so formed.

The term “natural” means many things to many people. Since Citricidal will not release how their GSE is made for proprietary reasons, you need to decide based upon the definition listed above and your own research, as to whether their GSE is natural or not. You can also go here and read the NIRC’s criteria for natural ingredients as a means for a guideline in your research.

2. Is it truly just grapefruit seed extract?

In the truest sense of an extract where the essence of a natural product is just extracted or concentrated, no, GSE is not an extract in that sense. A German physicist developed this product back in 1970. His purpose in doing so was to produce a powerful antimicrobial that was non-toxic and could be used for cleaning or disinfecting food processing areas. I cannot comment on other manufacturers GSE products. Our product does not contain parabens or benzoates. Maybe other GSE products do, but not ours.

3. What else is in there?

There is ascorbic acid and glycerin in our product.

4. Can you tell us how it is manufactured?

We cannot give you our proprietary process. All I am willing to offer is that we start with grapefruit bioflavonoids and convert them into a quaternary ammonium compound similar to a known, but toxic, compound called benzethonium chloride. The difference is our product has an oxygen and carbon bond that is different than that of benzethonium. Our product also has an LD50 of over 5000 mg/kg of live body weight. That means that an average weight human would have to consume a quart of CITRICIDAL daily before there would be a 50% chance of death as a result. Our product is used by the drop.

5. Can you provide test results showing your products effectiveness in a number of different applications?

We can provide you with an MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration test). This shows the effectiveness of our product against all the different bacteria, etc. CITRICIDAL has been used safely and has helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world since 1970. There have been no reported incidents of toxicity, only inappropriate use of our product... usually someone not diluting the product as specified and applying drops directly into the mouth, ears and eyes, the result being inflammation and pain.

Editor’s note: Click Here for a copy of this test.

6. For the small businesses that are hand making personal care items such as creams and lotions, how would you suggest that they use your product? Should it be used in tandem with another preservative? If the answer is yes, can you suggest other preservatives it should be used with?

Each company has to determine what level of our product will be necessary for preserving their formula. This is done by sending samples of each formula to a lab and having an Accelerated Preservative Challenge Test performed. It takes time and money. All formulas are different and contamination levels vary in all the ingredients and packaging. We have no way of knowing how much bacteria is in each formula or how each ingredient will respond to our product. There are tens of thousands of variables. We can only offer a range of dilution for our product for cosmetics. The range is generally between 0.01% and 1.0%.

Editor’s note: Consult the Lab where your product testing is to be done. They may suggest additional tests be done based upon your needs.

7. Can GSE be used as a stand alone preservative in products that contain water? If so, what would the approximate range in shelf life be, and what percentage should be used? Would you suggest that the product be refrigerated?

Our product has been used successfully as the sole preservative in many formulas since the 1970s. Again, there are too many variables for us to determine how effective, how long or whether an additional preservative should be used. Some cosmetic manufacturers will supplement our GSE with another preservative for insurance purposes (product failure liability issues I am told).

Editor’s note: Again, please consult the Lab where your product testing will be done. Product failure happens more often than not and is generally related to a poor preservative system. There are a lot of variables at play here, and depending on how your product is to be used will determine what type of preservative system is required.

Richard Perry is the general manager for www.citricidal.com

Editor's note: As we all know, there has been controversy over the 'naturalness' of GSE for many years. Here are 3 interesting reports we have been able to locate for your review:

Identification of Benzethonium Chloride in commercial grapefruit seed extracts

Kant Laboratorium - Cosmetics with grapefruit seed extract/preservatives

Ecofriendly pesticides are not what they seem