In vitro Assessment of Antibacterial Activity of Citrus aurantifolia Extracts

Abstract

Leaf extracts of Citrus aurantifolia were investigated for antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, Salmonella Paratyphi A and Salmonella Paratyphi B using agar-well diffusion and gradient serial dilution methods. Phytochemical screening was conducted in order to detect secondary metabolites. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the extracts showed antibacterial activity against S. typhi and S. Paratyphi B. Water-soluble leaf extracts demonstrated a higher zone of inhibition (19mm) against S. Paratyphi A. S. typhi was found resistant to both water and chloroform soluble leaf extracts but sensitive to ethanolic leaf extracts at 50µm/ml concentration. Both S. Paratyphi A and S. Paratyphi B were found resistant to ethanolic leaf extract. The occurrence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids and phenols in the aqueous leaf extracts of C. aurantifolia justifies its use in folklore medicine.