Antimicrobial activity of liquid residues of Cymbopogon citratus oil extracts

Abstract

Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass) is a type of medicinal herb that widely used in Asia. This study aims to investigate the antimicrobial activity of liquid residues of ethanolic and aqueous Cymbopogon citratus oil extracts. Residues of ethanolic and aqueous Cymbopogon citratus oil extracts were used to study their antimicrobial activities for Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans which were isolated from burned skin of patients suffering from burns at Medical City Hospital/Specialist burns Unit/Baghdad. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were measured for all microorganisms using microtitre plates and Resazurin dye by a spectrophotometer at 517 nm. The components of liquid residues were detected by phytochemical tests; and the concentrations of Iodine were determined by Ion Chromatography. The antioxidant activity was measured by using DPPH method. The liquid residues of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Lemongrass showed antimicrobial effect against all the test microorganisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethanolic extraction of Cymbopogon citratus contain Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Phenols, Saponins, Terpenes, Tannins, Fatty acids and Couarins, but no Seroids, volatile oil and Emodins. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of ethanolic extract for Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were 12.5, 12.5, 12.5 and 25µl/mL respectively. The extracts of lemongrass residues due to their phytochemical contents and pharmacological activity seem to be highly effective against some pathogenic microorganisms in the inflamed skin. It can be suggested that these extracts may be used for skin treatment in burned patients infected with pathogenic microorganisms.