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

Abstract

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.

The Second Life of Citrus Fruit Waste: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds

“…Noteworthy, even if to a different extent, all three oils possess antioxidant, antifungal and antitumor properties, inhibitory effect on the mushroom tyrosinase activity, as well as and antiproliferative effect on murine B16F10 melanoma cells [ 46 ]. EOs isolated from lemon leaves, rich in limonene, citronellal and citronellol, possess antibacterial activity against Gram-negative ( Salmonella typhimurium , P. aeruginosa and E. coli ) and Gram-positive bacterial strains ( Staphylococcus epidermidis and two S. aureus strains), as well as insecticidal potential [ 109 , 110 ].…”

Interactions between Medical Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds: Focus on Antimicrobial Combination Effects

“…The development of current and new technologies will result in the identification of plant-derived antimicrobials and their synergy with antibiotics [ 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 ], as well as the clarification of their complex mechanisms of interactions [ 164 ]. Therefore, the use of modern methods, antimicrobial testing with standardized protocols, and quality controls of plant materials are necessary.…”

Waste Citrus limon Leaves as Source of Essential Oil Rich in Limonene and Citral: Chemical Characterization, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties, and Effects on Cancer Cell Viability

“…Lemon EOs, obtained by cold pressing of the peel or distillation of leaves, are broadly applied as an aroma enhancer in beverages, bakery, and food products, as a flavoring agent in pharmaceutical preparations, and as a fragrance in perfumery/cosmetic industries [ 13 , 15 ]. Lemon leaves (evergreen and lanceolate) represent an important source of EO, which ranges approximately between 0.33–0.34% [ 10 , 16 ] and 0.56% [ 17 ] (by weight) and varies greatly with the variety and/or cultivars, the geographic origin, and the harvesting period [ 3 , 13 , 15 ]. The EO of the C. limon leaves differs in composition from oil obtained from pericarp in which limonene generally represents the major component [ 4 , 13 , 18 ].…”

“…The EO of the C. limon leaves differs in composition from oil obtained from pericarp in which limonene generally represents the major component [ 4 , 13 , 18 ]. Whereas the C. limon leaf EO is generally rich in limonene [ 11 , 13 , 18 ], in some cases, other compounds have been identified as the major constituents [ 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 ]. Other reported main compounds include neral, geranial, sabinene, citronellal, linalool, (E)-β-ocimene, geranyl acetate, geraniol, alpha-terpineol, linalyl acetate, and myrcene [ 10 , 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]; however, significant quali-quantitative differences in C. limon leaf EO chemical composition have emerged among data in the literature [ 10 , 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…Several studies have been performed on analgesic [ 9 ], antimicrobial [ 11 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 ], anti-leishmanial [ 10 ], insecticidal [ 16 ], and antioxidant activities [ 11 , 15 , 18 ] of the EOs obtained from the leaves of various species and/or cultivars of lemon around the world. Moreover, C. limon EOs and their aroma components (limonene, linalyl acetate, geranial, and neral) have drawn the attention of researchers for their anticancer activity [ 9 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]; however, limited research has been specifically conducted on the antitumor properties and cytotoxicity of lemon leaf EO [ 27 , 28 ].…”