Abstract
The contents of d-limonene, a major essential oil component in citrus species, were determined in Citrus unshiu, C. sinensis and C. limon during fruit development. d-Limonene was separated from l-limonene by a capillary chiral column attached to GC. The ratio of d-form in the total limonene remained higher than 95% throughout all stages of development. In these fruits, d-limonene content reached maximum just before the pericarps turned from deep green to yellowish green. d-Limonene synthesis was confirmed to take place in the early stage of development within the month from August to September.
