Researchers from the Leicester School of Pharmacy have discovered that Salvestrol Q40, a chemical found in high quantities in Tangerine peel, has been found to kill off cancer cells. When the said substance comes in contact with infected units, it turns into the P450 CYP1B1 enzyme and kills the offending cells.

For those who haven't heard of Salvestrol 40, it is a type of Phytoalexin that is normally used by plants to stave off insect and fungi attacks. It is also found in other plants, specifically members of the Brassica family such as Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts. While this might seem easily obtainable, the Salvestrol level in food have been dropping because plants have become reliant on pesticides and fungicides.

In spite of this, the project's lead researcher Dr Hoon Tan was happy about the findings saying that "It is very exciting to find a compound in food that can target cancers specifically." He has already formed a company with is colleagues in an effort to develop the findings into a natural anti-cancer cure.

This discovery could potentially lead to a whole new approach in conducting cancer-related research. Who knows, it might even eventually provide us with the long-sought for golden cure to the deadly disease.