Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of three Moroccan citrus peel essential oils

Abstract

Citrus peels, which make up a significant portion of the entire fruit and are frequently rejected by nature and have a detrimental influence on the environment, are the focus of this study. These barks can be a highly valuable source of plant material. Three different citrus species C. limonum, C. reticulata, and C. Paradisi had their essential oils extracted from their peels(by-products) to create these citrus co-products (essential oil).The findings demonstrate how rich these citrus species are in essential oils. Limonene is the predominant component for the three, accounting for percentages of 56.3%, 76.5%, and 71.7% for C. paradisi, C. reticulata, and C. limonum, respectively, in their chemical composition as determined by GC/MS analysis. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and validated using the FRAP assay. Furthermore, essential oils antimicrobial efficacy against five pathogenic strains: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus feacalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Sacharomyces cerevisiae, demonstrates significant antibacterial potential, particularly against Candida albicans.

Keywords

• Citrus
• Essential oil
• Composition
• Limonene
• GC-MS analysis
• Antimicrobial activity