ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTS OF KUMQUAT( CITRUS JAPONICA) ESSENTIAL OIL AGAINST SOME PATHOGENIC BACTERIA AND COMPARISON WITH SOME STANDARD ANTIBIOTICS

Background and Aim:A lot of research has been done on antimicrobial properties and preservative effects of citrus and their essential oil(EOs) in food.From this we have emphasized the importance of this issue by identifying the anti-bacterial effects of kumquat EO.Methods:: In this experimental study, the Kumquat skin EO was extracted by distillation method and the analysis of the EO was carried out using GC/MS.Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC) were determined using Microdilution method and diameter of the bacteria inhibition zone by diffusion method for Staphylococcus.aureus, Escherichia.coli, Proteus.mirabilis and Pseudomonas.aeruginosa strains and compared with standard antibiotics.Results:The yield of EO of kumquat fruit in this study was calculated to be 6.66%. Its major chemical components were 4-azatricyclo (23%), trans-Verbenol (10.94%), n-(benzylidene)2-methyl-1-propen (8.25%) and pyrido-triazole (5.25%). MIC of EO of this fruit against S.aureus, E.coli, P.mirabilis and P.aeruginosa was 0.625-0.312-0.312-0.312%, respectively. In Disk diffusion, the highest inhibition zone of growth for S.aureus, E.coli, P.mirabilis and P.aeruginosa were determined 12-10-11-18 mm respectively. Also, the results showed that Tetracycline antibiotic has a greater inhibitory effect on S.aureus, E.coli and P. .aeruginosa bacteria compared to the EO.Chloramphenicol antibiotic against S.aureus and Amoxicillin and Ampicillin antibiotics have a greater inhibitory effect on p.mirabilis than kumquat EO.Conclusion:The antimicrobial effect of kumquat EO on the bacteria studied was significant;So it can be used as an alternative to chemical preservatives and chemical drugs offered.