Antimicrobial Activities of Citrus Seed and Leaf Extracts Against Selected Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens Linked to Human Diseases: In vitro Experimental Study in Musanze, Rwanda
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance has caused major challenges in both bacterial and fungal infections. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity with different crude extracts of leaves and seeds of Citrus limon against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungi (Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans) obtained from different clinical settings. Filtrate extracts after maceration technique and the phytochemical substances detected in plants were flavonoid, saponin, alkaloid, glycoside, and resin under investigation. In vitro, a disc diffusion assay was applied to measure the inhibition zone of the plant effect in millimeters (mm). It was observed that Citrus limon activity showed the highest on ethanolic seed against Staphylococcus aureus and the lowest activity plant observed on methanolic leaf extract against Klebsiella oxytoca. The mean values of Citrus limon extract convinced there was no statistically significant correlation among extract solvents used in the study (ρ > 0.05). Oxacillin was used as the positive control and discs without antibiotic content as the negative control during testing. To conclude, ethanolic seed extract has shown the highest effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi from isolate. Indeed, plant extracts that showed potential effectiveness, such as (Citrus leaves and seeds) can be used as natural alternative preventive measures to control pathogenic bacterial diseases and prevent the rise of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, studies to evaluate the in vivo potential in an animal model are recommended.
Keywords: Citrus limon, Crude extract, Bacteria, Fungi, Antimicrobial resistance.
Keywords:
Citrus limon, Crude extract, Bacteria, Fungi, Antimicrobial resistanceDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v15i1.6933References
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Copyright (c) 2025 Fabrice Uwumuremyi, Ferdinand Gahungu Ndikumana, Jean Berchmas Mutijima, Lydivine Mpinganzima, Thierry Habyarimana, Francois Niyongabo Niyonzima

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