Identification of active compounds in ethyl acetate, chloroform, and N-hexane extracts from peels of Citrus aurantifolia from Maribaya, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Lime peel contains essential oils are used as anti-oxidants or anti-cancer compounds. As a traditional medicine, lime has been widely used as a substitute for antibiotics. This study aimed to identify active compounds in peel extracts from Citrus aurantifolia that grows in Indonesia. Extraction was carried out by maceration using three different solvents: ethyl acetate, chloroform, and n-hexane. The extracts were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that lime peel contained many important compounds and that 28, 27, and 24 different chemical compounds, both minor and major constituents, were extracted by ethyl acetate, chloroform, and n-hexane, respectively. Four compounds were found in all three solvent extracts, namely, D-limonene, phytol, α-tocopherol, and 5, 7-dimethoxycoumarin. Forty-seven compounds were uniquely present in one solvent, including 17 in ethyl acetate, 17 in chloroform, and 13 in n-hexane. Among the active compounds extracted, several are of biological importance, for example, stigmasterol, D-limonene, Vitamin E, and α-tocopherol. It can be concluded that a variety of distinct compounds are extracted from the same lime peel sample when different solvents are used and that some of these are bioactive compounds with anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, or anti-cancer properties.

Phytochemical Profile, α-Glucosidase, and α-Amylase Inhibition Potential and Toxicity Evaluation of Extracts from Citrus aurantium (L) Peel, a Valuable By-Product from Northeastern Morocco

“…Indeed, the main compounds found [ 36 ] in the hexane extract of Mexican C. aurantifolia are 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin (15.80%), palmitic acid (6.89%), α-terpineol (5.97%), and linoleic acid (0.96%). However, in ethyl acetate and hexane extracts, the Indonesian C. aurantifolia peel contains d -limonene, palmitic acid, α-tocopherol, and linoleic acid [ 37 ]. In contrast, D -limonene (31.64%) was found in ethyl acetate extract from the peel of Thai Citrus hystrix as the main compound, followed by citronellal (25.99%) and β-pinene (6.83%) [ 38 ].…”