Anatomical and Physiological Responses of Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush.: a Cryptic Species of Northeast India

Abstract

In the historical mysteries and present pandemic situation, the use of citrus fruits makes it rise high among other fruits. Citrus has a significant role in dietary and medicinal purposes from time immemorial and widely acknowledged for its therapeutic properties. Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush. is an unspecified sibling of the citrus family. The present work highlights the biochemical, antimicrobial, and anticancerous potential of cryptic species indigenous to Northeast India. The research was done on peel; P(L1) and pulp; Pu(L2) extracts of ripe large and peel; P(L1) and pulp; Pu(L2) extracts unripe small varieties respectively. The extract of the Pu(L2) has the highest total soluble sugar (9.174±0.006741 μg/ml) whereas the extract of P(S1) demonstrated high protein concentration (8.074±0.0567 μg/ml). The total carbohydrate content also varied in the extracts; the extract of P(L1) showed (8.326±0.003844 μg/ml). P(L1) have high free amino acid content (24.35±0.0225μg/ml) and high free fatty acid exhibited on P(L2) (0.3739±0.05774 μg/ml). The total DPPH scavenging activity was compared for the extracts, where the extract of Pu (S1) exhibits highest activity 73.80% and 0.6577 of logIC50 value. The highest total antioxidant capacity displays 150±0.333 in P(L1). The MIC value was calibrated (30%, 35%, 40%, 45%) (v/v) and found to be maximum in P(L2) (0.695) and minimum in P(L1) (0.163) against Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. MTT assay showed highest viability rate of 94.32% and toxicity rate of 8.56% achieved on mouse lung cancerous cell. It is quite obvious from the present research that Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush. has a great scope at industrial level for developing therapeutic drugs.