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. 2019 Apr 22;24(8):1577.
doi: 10.3390/molecules24081577.

Antibacterial Activity and Mechanisms of Essential Oil from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis

Ze-Hua Li  1   2 , Ming Cai  3 , Yuan-Shuai Liu  4 , Pei-Long Sun  5 , Shao-Lei Luo  6
Affiliations

Antibacterial Activity and Mechanisms of Essential Oil from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis

Ze-Hua Li et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

In this work, antibacterial activity of finger citron essential oil (FCEO, Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis) and its mechanism against food-borne bacteria were evaluated. A total of 28 components in the oil were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, in which limonene (45.36%), γ-terpinene (21.23%), and dodecanoic acid (7.52%) were three main components. For in vitro antibacterial tests, FCEO exhibited moderately antibacterial activity against common food-borne bacteria: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus. It showed a better bactericidal effect on Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative. Mechanisms of the antibacterial action were investigated by observing changes of bacteria morphology according to scanning electron microscopy, time-kill analysis, and permeability of cell and membrane integrity. Morphology of tested bacteria was changed and damaged more seriously with increased concentration and exposure time of FCEO. FCEO showed a significant reduction effect on the growth rate of surviving bacteria and lead to lysis of the cell wall, intracellular ingredient leakage, and consequently, cell death.

Keywords: antibacterial; essential oil; finger citron; mechanism.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effects of FCEO on morphological changes of E. coli and S. aureus. (A): Untreated E. coli; (B): E. coli treated with FCEO at minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC); (C): E. coli treated with FCEO at 2×MIC; (D): Untreated S. aureus; (E): S. aureus treated with FCEO at MIC; (F): S. aureus treated with FCEO at 2×MIC. Arrows show the shriveled appearance and holes on the cell surface.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Time-kill analysis of E. coli and S. aureus. (A): E. coli; (B): S. aureus.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effects of FCEO on the permeability of E. coli and S. aureus. (A): E. coli; (B): S. aureus.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effects of FCEO on the integrity of cell membrane of E. coli and S. aureus. (A): E. coli; (B): S. aureus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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