PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIFUNGAL PROPERTIES OF THE PEEL EXTRACT OF CITRUS SINENSIS

Abstract

This research was carried out at the Laboratory of Food Science and Technology Department, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, between the months of June and July, 2024. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The investigation revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannin, cardiac glycosides and steroids. Quantitative phytochemical screening of the Citrus sinensis L. peel extract revealed that the peel extract of C. sinensis L. contains alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and phenols. These constituents may be responsible for antifungal activity. Three different extract of citrus peel (200mg/ml, 100mg/ml and 50mg/ml) were tested for their antifungal activities against two isolates of fungi namely R. stolonifer and F. oxysporum.The percentage growth inhibition of R. stolonifer aqueous and ethanol C. sinensis L. peel extract showed that the aqueous and ethanol extract at 200mg/ml had highest % percentage inhibition of (32% and 40%) aqueous and ethanol extracts respectively. Relatively moderate inhibition were recorded at (100mg/ml) with (28 and 32%) aqueous and ethanol extracts respectively. Lowest inhibitory activities were recorded at (50mg/ml) with aqueous extract (7%) inhibition. The percentage growth inhibition of F. oxysporum aqueous and ethanol extracts showed that the aqueous and ethanol extracts at (200mg/ml) showed highest % inhibitory activities with (28% and 36%) respectively. Low inhibitory activities were recorded at (50mg/ml) with (10 and 20%) aqueous and ethanol extracts. The high inhibitory activities of ethanol extract could be due to solvent solubility extraction of antifungal moieties and could be linked to the fact that C. sinensis L. has large deposit of alkaloids, flavoniod and phenolic compounds which have antifungal properties. The Citrus sinensis L. peel which is normally treated as a waste product can now be used as an antifungal materials, hence reducing environmental problem particularly pollution.