Lemongrass and orange essential oils are natural antibacterial agents

Researchers from the University of Ibadan have discovered that lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oils possess antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This study, published in the European Journal of Medicinal Plants, looked into the ability of these essential oils to scavenge free radicals and chelate metals, as well as their phenolic and flavonoid content and antimicrobial activity.

• Essential oils were extracted from lemongrass and orange through hydrodistillation.
• Antioxidant activity of these oils was estimated using 1,1 –diphenyl- 2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activity. In addition to this, total phenolic and total flavonoid content were also determined.
• Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of lemongrass and orange essential oils were determined using the pour plate method. These oils were tested against pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as on non-pathogenic bacteria, like Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus brevis.

Results of the study show that lemongrass and orange essential oils both have antibacterial activities that are not harmful to non-pathogenic bacteria. In addition to this, both oils have significant antioxidant activities, although, lemongrass exhibits higher activity due to higher total phenolic and flavonoid content.

Read the full text of this study at this link.

Learn more about the how lemongrass and orange essential oils can be used to improve health by visiting EssentialOils.news today.

Journal Reference:

Olaiya C, Ojebode M, Karigidi K. ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE ESSENTIAL OILS OF CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS AND CITRUS SINENSIS. European Journal of Medicinal Plants. 6 August 2016;16(1):1–10. DOI: 10.9734/ejmp/2016/28176