Preliminary Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activity of Citrus x limon (L) Burm. f. (lemon) Leaf Extract against Some Pathogenic Microorganisms

Abstract

To authenticate the claims by local users of Citrus x limon (lemon) in the control of some human infections, preliminary phytochemical screening and antimicrobial evaluation of lemon leaf extract was investigated Extraction of plant leaves was performed using successive reflux, with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water as extracting solvents. Ethanol gave the highest percentage yield of 10.93% followed closely by ethyl acetate with 9.42% while water extract gave the lowest yield of 3.67%. 11 phytochemicals classes were present in the leaf extract and they include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinon, cardiac glycosides, tannins, steroids, terpenes, resins, phenols