In vitro Investigation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Leaf Extracts of Lime( Citrus aurantifolia )

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of various concentrations of Citrus aurantifolia leaf extracts. Extracts of plant leaves were prepared using methanol, chloroform and water.The extracts were tested for their antimicrobial activity against laboratory strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans.Using agar well diffusion method, Leaf extracts concentrations of 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% were prepared by dissolving the extracts into appropriate quantities of distilled water (3:1,1:1,1:3). The inhibitory zones were recorded in millimeters. All the assays were performed in triplicate and expressed as average values. The results of this study showed that methanol and chloroform extracts had antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis but were inactive against C albicans. The aqueous extract had antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis (8 to 14.5 mm )and E.coli (5.5 to 8.5 mm) at high concentrations of 75% and 100%. All extracts were inactive against S. aureus, P.aeruginosa and C. albicans.The results showed that C. aurantifolia leaf extracts could be used to treat some infection, however,further studies are required to determine the real effectiveness and potential toxicity. The use of such natural products showed be encouraged due to less or no side effects, cost effectiveness and development of resistance to synthetic antibiotics. The use of extracts of this plant is recommended in a herbal medicine and as base for the development of new drugs.