Phytochemical Screening and In Vitro Anti-Bacterial Studies of the Ethanolic Extract of Citrus Senensis (Linn.) Peel against some Clinical Bacterial Isolates

Citrus senensis peel has many medicinal properties and is widely used against various ailments, such as colic, upset stomach, cancer, diuretic, cormunative, immuno ? enhancing, stomachic, tonic to digestive system, immune system and skin. It is also used to treat and prevent vitamin deficiencies, colds, flu, and scurvy and helping to fight viral and bacterial infections. The aim of the study is to verify the ethnomedicinal use of the peel as anti-bacterial. The peels were air-dried and ground to powder using mortar and pestle, extracted with 95% ethanol. The extract was subjected to phytochemical screening using standard procedures. Agar diffusion method was employed to test the antibacterial activity of the extract and the MIC and MBC of the extract were determined by broth dilution technique. The results of the phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, triterpenoids, phytosterols and steroids. The results of the antibacterial activity showed that the isolates were sensitive to the extract, with MIC of 0.25-2.5mg/ml and MBC of 0.5-5.0mg/ml. The antibacterial effects of the extracts suggest their possible use for the treatment of infections caused by the test bacteria. The chemotherapeutic potential of the fruit peel could be due to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, triterpenoids, phytosterols and steroids. The success of this study could lead to the development of cheap, easily available and relatively safe bactericides from a tropical plant.