Molecules, Vol. 24, Pages 1577: Antibacterial Activity and Mechanisms of Essential Oil from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis

Molecules, Vol. 24, Pages 1577: Antibacterial Activity and Mechanisms of Essential Oil from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Molecules doi: 10.3390/molecules24081577 Authors: Ze-Hua Li Ming Cai Yuan-Shuai Liu Pei-Long Sun Shao-Lei Luo 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.
Source: Molecules - Category: Chemistry Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research