FROM WASTE TO RESOURCE: VALORIZING CITRUS LIMON LEAVES THROUGH ESSENTIAL OIL EXTRACTION AND EVALUATION OF ITS ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES
Keywords:
Citrus limon, essential oil, antimicrobial activity, GC-MS analysis, terpenoids, linalool.Abstract
Citrus limon (lemon), a member of the Rutaceae family, is renowned for its nutrient-rich leaves, which yield essential oil with notable medicinal properties, including sedative and antispasmodic effects. This study aimed to extract essential oil from lemon leaves and evaluate its antimicrobial potential. The extraction process yielded 0.086% oil, which was subsequently analyzed for its chemical composition and bioactivity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed a diverse array of bioactive compounds, including linalool, citronellal, α-terpineol, citronellol, α-bergamotene, β-cubebene, cis-α-bisabolene, and α-bisabolol, among others. These compounds are associated with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and therapeutic properties. The oil exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activity, underscoring its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent. The presence of terpenoids and oxygenated monoterpenes, such as linalool and citronellol, likely contributed to its efficacy against microbial pathogens. These findings highlight the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical value of C. limon leaf essential oil, positioning it as a promising candidate for developing natural therapies targeting infections and stress-related disorders. Further research is warranted to optimize extraction methods and validate its mechanisms of action in clinical applications.
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