Physical Properties and Anti-Bacterial Activity of Essential Oils Extracted from Kaffir Lime, Lemongrass, and Lime

Abstract

Plants produce essential oils naturally in different parts. Essential oil from herb plants are used as massage oil, medicine, skin care products, Inhalers, and food ingredients. The objectives of this research were 1) to study the physical characteristics, 2) to assess the amount of distilled essential oil (% yield), 3) to evaluate the distillation cost of essential oil, and 4) to study the antibacterial activity. The results of the study found that the physical characteristics of essential oils from the kaffir lime leaf were yellow gold and had a pungent smell, lemongrass was light yellow and had a particular scent, and lime peel was yellow gold and had a particular scent and pH values were 3.74, 3.74, and 3.94, respectively. The essential oil yields were 0.37%, 0.23%, and 0.32%, respectively. The cost of essential oils per 1 mL was 11.59, 11.13, and 14.02 baht, respectively. Kaffir lime leaf essential oil at concentrations of 0.10-0.18% v/v, lemongrass essential oil at 0.10% v/v, and lime peel essential oil at concentrations ranging from 0.18% to 1.56% v/v demonstrated antibacterial characteristics and were effective to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogens, and Streptococcus pneumonia. Hence, it is suitable to use the potential of these three essential oils to use in formulations and commercial products for future research.