Frontiers in Chemistry (May 2021)

Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Activities of Essential Oils of Discarded Perfume Lemon and Leaves (Citrus Limon (L.) Burm. F.) as Possible Sources of Functional Botanical Agents

  • Panpan Wu,
  • Panpan Wu,
  • Xiaowen Tang,
  • Xiaowen Tang,
  • Rongchao Jian,
  • Rongchao Jian,
  • Jiahao Li,
  • Jiahao Li,
  • Maoyu Lin,
  • Maoyu Lin,
  • Huachao Dai,
  • Huachao Dai,
  • Kangpeng Wang,
  • Kangpeng Wang,
  • Zhaojun Sheng,
  • Zhaojun Sheng,
  • Baizhong Chen,
  • Xuetao Xu,
  • Xuetao Xu,
  • Chen Li,
  • Chen Li,
  • Zhongze Lin,
  • Zhongze Lin,
  • Qingmin Zhang,
  • Qingmin Zhang,
  • Xi Zheng,
  • Xi Zheng,
  • Kun Zhang,
  • Kun Zhang,
  • Dongli Li,
  • Dongli Li,
  • Weiqian David Hong,
  • Weiqian David Hong,
  • Weiqian David Hong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2021.679116
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Two essential oils were isolated from discarded perfume lemon and leaves (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. F.) by hydro-distillation with good yield (0.044% for perfume lemon and 0.338% for leaves). Their biological activities were evaluated against five selected bacterial strains and Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus, Diptera: Culicidae). Chemical composition indicated that both essential oils were rich in essential phytochemicals including hydrocarbons, monoterpenes and sesquiterpene. These constituents revealed some variability among the oils displaying interesting chemotypes (R)-(+)-limonene (12.29–49.63%), citronellal (5.37–78.70%) and citronellol (2.98–7.18%). The biological assessments proved that the two essential oils had similar effect against bacterial (inhibition zones diameter ranging from 7.27 ± 0.06 to 10.37 ± 0.15 mm; MICs and MBCs ranging from 1.6 to 6.4 mg/mL); against Ae. albopictus larvae (LC50 ranging from 384.81 to 395.09 ppm) and adult mosquito (LD50 ranging from 133.059 to 218.962 μg/cm2); the activity of the two chemotypes ((R)-(+)-limonene and citronellal): larvae (LC50 ranging from 267.08 to 295.28 ppm), which were all presented in dose-dependent manners. Through this work, we have showcased that recycling and reusing of agriculture by-products, such as discarded perfume lemon and leaves can produce eco-friendly alternatives in bacterial disinfectants and mosquito control product.

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