Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of Citrus maxima and Citrus limon peel and fruit extract / Nurul Nadia Ajit

Citrus fruits contain nutrients and phytochemicals, secondary metabolites of plants that may be beneficial for the human health. Current research was conducted to investigate the phytochemical constituents in the citrus genus (C.maxima and C.limon). Phytochemical screening indicates the presence of reducing sugars, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids and tannins. Both alkaloids and anthraquinones were completely absent. Total flavonoid content (TFC) values for C.limon juice was 0.130 ± 0.22 mg/g while C.limon peel was 1.567 ± 0.54 mg/g. Moreover, for C.maxima, it shown that its peel has 3.383 ± 0.92 mg/g and its juice was 0.176 ± 0.59 mg/g. Meanwhile, for total phenolic content (TPC), C.limon juice yield 0.124 ± 0.16 mg/g and C.limon peel give 2.008 ± 0.12 mg/g. For C.maxima, its juice yield 0.240 ± 0.04 mg/g while for peel has 0.931 ± 0.14 mg/g. Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract from citrus peel and juice was screened against three pathogenic bacteria S.aureus, E.coli and B.subtilis by using disc diffusion method. The highest antimicrobial activity was exhibited by the C.limon peel against E. coli with 12.0 ± 2.52 mg/g (p=0.163). While for C.limon juice possess highest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus with 19.6 ± 1.40 mg/g (p=0.568). The results obtained reveal that both citrus fruits rich in phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity, with that C.limon juice are highly recommended for the consumer due to its well known antimicrobial properties that help fights against problem related to throat infection. Vitamin C that consists in C.limon also helps to promote immunity and fight infection.