Antibacterial and antifungal activities of essential oil of Tawangmangu sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel at different altitudes

Abstract

Abstract. Handayani ES, Nugraheni ER, Susilowati A. 2019. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of essential oil of Tawangmangu sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel at different altitudes. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 17: 47-54. Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans are human pathogenic microbes that cause skin infections. Essential oils are biologically active as antibacterial and antifungal. Environmental factors, e.g., temperature, lighting, and height, influence the synthesis of essential oils. This study aimed to determine the highest yield of essential oils of Tawangmangu sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) peel in different altitudes and to know the activity of essential oils of Tawangmangu sweet orange peel against bacteria S. aureus and fungi C. albicans. This study used essential oil of Tawangmangu sweet orange peel taken from four different altitudes of 1,000 ± 50; 1,200 ± 50; 1,400 ± 50, and 1,600 ± 50 m above sea level. First, the yield of essential oil was calculated then antibacterial and antifungal were tested using the Kirby Bauer method against S. aureus and C. albicans. Then, the diameter zones of inhibition were calculated. The results showed that Tawangmangu sweet orange peel at an altitude of 1,000, 1,200, 1,400, and 1,600 above sea level produced a different yield of essential oil. Tawangmangu sweet orange peel at an altitude of 1,600 m above sea level produced essential oil with the highest yield was 0.55%. Essential oil of Tawangmangu sweet orange peel at an altitude of 1,000, 1,200, 1,400, and 1,600 above sea level had different antimicrobial activity against bacteria S. aureus and fungi C. albicans. Essential oil at the altitude of 1,600 m asl in 100% concentration had the greatest antimicrobial activity with a diameter zone of inhibition of 23 mm against S. aureus and a diameter zone of 19 mm against C. albicans.