UNVEILING THE BIOACTIVE POTENTIAL OF KAFFIR LIME (CITRUS HYSTRIX) LEAVES: ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIMICROBIAL, AND PHOTOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES

Abstract

Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix), a citrus species native to Southeast Asia, has limited research concerning its pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical potential. This study investigates the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and photoprotective properties of the methanolic extract of Kaffir lime leaves. The results demonstrate that Kaffir lime leaves are a promising herbal source for pharmacological applications, as they are rich in phytochemicals with antioxidant potential, strong photoprotective properties with a high SPF value, and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus welwitschiae.