Evaluation of<i>Citrus lemon</i>Essential Oil for its Chemical and Biological Properties Against Fungi Causing Dermatophytic Infection in Human Beings

Abstract

The aim of present investigation is to analysis the chemical compositions of essential oil obtained from Citrus lemon L. fruit peel collected from local market of Jaipur, Rajasthan through GC and GC-MS analysis and screening of essential oil against organisms causing skin infections in human beings. A total 45 components were identified out of 100% of total essential oil. Limonene was found to be the major constituent (43.07%) followed by β-pinene (12.61%), gamma terpinene (11.48%), α-terpineol (7.20%), α-pinene (3.39%), myrecene (1.87%), geraniol (1.48%), α-terpinene (1.32%), α-terpinolene (2.37%), linalool (1.08%) and cis-α-bergamotene(1.38%). Antifungal activity was determined through disc diffusion method and by minimum inhibitory concentration. Maximum 14±0.000 mm inhibition zone was observed against Microsporum fulvum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes followed by 12±1.000 mm against T. rubrum. MIC was ranged from 0.4-1.1 μg/ml. Its maximum effect was seen against T. tonsurnas 0.4±0.000 μg/ml, followed by 0.8±0.000 μg/ml against T. rubrum, 0.8±0.577 mm against T. mentagrophytes, 0.9±0.000 μg/ml against M. fulvum and 1.1±0.050 μg/ml against C. albicans.