While lemons and limes have long brightened our drinks and dishes, a new variety is turning heads not just for its flavor—but for its health benefits and economic potential. Meet ‘Nimas Agrihorti’, a citrus cultivar developed right here in Indonesia, designed to meet the rising demand for natural, plant-based health products.
🌿 The Citrus That’s More Than Just Refreshing
Grown in Probolinggo, East Java, ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ stands out for its juicy yellow fruit, pleasantly sweet taste, and low acidity—perfect for people with sensitive stomachs. What makes it even more special? It’s loaded with vitamin C (33.47 mg/100g) and natural antioxidants like flavonoids, known for their ability to boost immunity and fight disease.
Unlike traditional lime varieties that are sharp and sour, ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ offers a milder flavor, making it great for both fresh consumption and functional foods like vitamin drinks, teas, and herbal medicine.
Tabel. Chemical composition analysis of Citrus aurantifolia ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ and other citrus cultivars.
💊 A Natural Candidate for Biopharmaceuticals
Citrus fruits are packed with compounds like hesperidin, coumarins, and flavonoids that are being studied for their anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ has been shown to contain a rich mix of these compounds. With low acid and high extract yield, it’s ideal for making health supplements and other biopharmaceutical products.
Its naturally sweet taste and soft acidity also make it a great choice for people managing diabetes, cholesterol, or digestive issues. In short: this is not just a fruit, it’s functional food at its best.
🌱 From Orchard to Opportunity
On the economic side, ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ also shines. Grown in pots or on open land, each plant can yield up to 15 kg of fruit. With proper care, a hectare planted with this citrus can produce 5,000 kg of fruit—a promising return for farmers.
In a two-year trial, the total production cost was about IDR 42.6 million (USD 2,584), but it generated over IDR 120 million (USD 7,200) in revenue. That’s a Revenue-to-Cost (R/C) ratio of 2.81, proving it’s not only good for health but also a smart investment.
🇮🇩 A Proud Local Innovation
Developed by Indonesian scientists and the Ministry of Agriculture, ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ offers a sustainable alternative to imported citrus and pharmaceutical ingredients. As more consumers seek out natural wellness products, this homegrown citrus could play a key role in improving public health, boosting farmer incomes, and enhancing Indonesia’s agricultural resilience.
Bottom Line?
‘Nimas Agrihorti’ is not just another citrus fruit. It’s a symbol of how science, tradition, and innovation can come together to improve our diets, our farms, and our future.
Reference:
Budiyati, E., Waluyo, B., Maghfoer, M. D. ., Kosmiatin, M. ., Triwiratno, A. ., Hanif, Z. ., Andrini , A. ., Hanim, F. ., & Tina , S. A. . (2025). Characterization and Economic Feasibility of Citrus aurantifolia ‘Nimas Agrihorti’ Cultivar as a Potential Biopharmaceutical Commodity in Indonesia. Buitenzorg: Journal of Tropical Science, 2(1), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.70158/buitenzorg.v2i1.17