Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF ORANGE PEEL EXTRACT AGAINST ESCHERICHIA COLI

Jaseela K. P.*, Sai Sabari, Ansila Fathima and Kajishma

ABSTRACT

The present study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of an ethanolic extract derived from orange peel (Citrus sinensis) against Escherichia coli, a common gram-negative bacterium. Plants have long been utilized in traditional medicine for their therapeutic effects, with their antimicrobial activity often attributed to the bioactive compounds they contain, such as flavonoids, phenolics and essential oils. Oranges used in this study were sourced from Kannur, and the peel was selected as the plant material for extraction due to its abundance in bioactive compounds. The extraction process involved preparing an aqueous extract, which was subsequently analyzed through a series of pharmacognostic evaluations. Microscopic and macroscopic studies were conducted to assess the physical characteristics of the plant material, qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out to identify the presence of key secondary metabolites known for their antimicrobial properties, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. To determine the antimicrobial efficacy of the orange peel extract, the study employed well diffusion method, a widely recognized technique for assessing the inhibition of bacterial growth. The ethanolic extract was tested against E.coli, and the antimicrobial activity was quantified by measuring the zone of inhibition around the wells where the extract was applied. The results demonstrated that the extract exhibited significant antibacterial activity against E.coli. This research supports the continued exploration of plant-based extracts in the search for effective alternatives to conventional antibiotics, particularly in the context of rising antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Escherichia coli, well diffusion method, zone of inhibition.