Investigation of the biological activity of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis fruit and its use in alternative industrial areas

Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis is a plant known for its rich bioactive components and nutritional content that are valuable for medicinal purposes. In this study, the antimicrobial activity and sun protection factor (SPF) of water (CS) and ethanol (CE) extracts obtained from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis fruit were determined. The biological activity of the extracts was determined by using disc diffusion, micro and macro dilution methods. CS and CE extracts were found to show strong antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. It was observed that the probiotic candidate strain isolated from breast milk exhibited low biological activity against lactic acid bacteria (LAB). It has been determined that the minimal inhibition (MIC) and minimal bactericidal (MBC) or fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of bacteria vary between 2.5 µl/µg and >40 µl/µg. The lethal concentration of the CE extract against Escherichia coli O157H:7 was determined using the macro-dilution method. In this context, the inhibitory properties of CE extract prepared at 50 and 100 mg/ml concentrations were evaluated at 0, 24, and 48 hours. At a concentration of 50 mg/ml of the CE extract, 85.03% (24. hours) and 100% (48. hour) the death rate has been determined. It was determined that it inhibited the entire pathogen (100%) at a concentration of 100 mg/ml. It has been determined that CE extract has a significant inhibitory effect on the food pathogen E. coli O157H:7. In addition, SPF values of extracts and extract-cream mixtures (2.5, 5 and 10 ml) were evaluated by spectrophotometric analysis. SPF values of CS and CE extracts were determined as 12.26 and 24.65. SPF values of CS and CE extract-cream mixtures at 10 ml concentration were determined as 6.42 and 9.34. The extracts have been shown to significantly increase the sunscreen effectiveness of commercial cream. As a result of the study, the biological activity of CS and CE extracts obtained from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis was determined and their usability in alternative industrial areas was determined.