ABSTRACT
Limonoids are highly oxygenated, modied triterpenoids dominant in the plant family Meliaceae and to a lesser extent in Rutaceae. The latter family has received considerable attention due to the bitter taste of most limonoids: Rutaceae includes the Citrus species of commerce. The term “limonoids” was derived from limonin, the rst tetranortriterpenoid obtained from citrus bitter principles. Compounds belonging to this group provide a wide range of biological activities, such as insecticides, insect antifeedants, and growth-regulating activity on insects. Currently, limonoids are under investigation for their antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antineoplastic, and antimalarial therapeutic effects.
