The Antimicrobial Potential of Citrus sinensis Essential Oil in vitro and in situ

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) are naturally occurring complex secondary metabolites of plants that play a role in the body's defence against pathogens, environmental factors and physiological stresses. They have a range of biological properties such as antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The mechanisms of their antibacterial activity have been thoroughly investigated. It is known that EOs can inactivate bacteria by targeting their cytoplasm, cell wall or cell membrane. The aim of our research was to observe the antibacterial activity of red orange (Citrus sinensis) EO in situ via vapor phase and in vitro using the disc diffusion method. In addition to the antimicrobial activity, the antibiotic activity against five plant diseased bacteria was also monitored. The results of our analyses showed that the disk diffusion approach and vapor phase were the most effective antibacterial strategies against Pectobacterium carotovarum. Plants have an innate ability to produce a diverse range of compounds, especially secondary metabolites, which, due to their biological properties, have been attributed a protective role against diseases. For integrated crop pest management, biological control is not a new idea and has recently attracted much attention.

Keywords

• in situ
• in vitro
• antimicrobial activity
• red orange essential oil