DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i12.010

Pages: 2729-2735

Citrus fruits are rich in bioactive compounds such as vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin B complex and minerals which are highly beneficial to human’s health. This study was carried out to evaluate the invitro antibacterial and phytochemical activities of ripe and unripe orange peels extract on selected microorganisms. These microorganisms include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus spp., Proteus spp. and Enterobacter spp. isolated from urinary tract infections and wound swabs of patients that visited Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, (ISTH) Irrua, Edo State. A stock concentration of each successive orange peel extract was obtained using alcohol (95% ethanol + 5% methanol) and 100% methanol (absolute). These extracts along with positive and negative controls were tested for the presence of active phytochemicals. The result showed that the zones of inhibitions were significantly higher with methanol extract than alcohol extract against the test organisms. The zone of inhibition of all extracts against the test pathogenic organisms showed a significant increase as the concentration of the extract increased. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the methanol and alcohol peel extracts ranged between 6.25-12.5 mg/ml while the minimum bacteriocidal concentrations ranged between 12.5- 25mg/ml. Invitro investigations confirmed the antimicrobial potential of Citrus sinensis and Citrus aurantium peels against pathogenic bacteria. It is therefore recommended that further in vivo studies should be done to determine the exact dosage and its effectiveness in practical situations along with toxicity studies.