Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck [Orange] and Citrus aurantifolia (Cristm.) Swingle [Lime] Stem from Bacteria Associated with Dental Caries

Background: The use of chewing stick as tooth cleanser by Arabs and now by most Muslims all around the globe has long been established. Stems of different trees have been used in this process. Stems of Citrus sinensis (Orange) and Citrus aurantifolia (Lime) are used in Nigeria in cleansing teeth. Few attempts were made to screen the antimicrobial activity of the stems of the trees on microorganisms isolated from teeth.

Aim of the Study: The aim was to determine the phytoconstituent and the antimicrobial activity of Citrus sinensis and Citrus aurantifolia on organism’s isolated from human teeth.

Materials and Methods: Phytoconstituents of the aqueous and ethanolic extract of the stems of Lime and Orange tree were determined using standard methods. The antimicrobial activity of the extract against some microorganisms isolated from teeth was determined using agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using standard method.

Results: Phytochemical screening of stems of the two plants revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, anthraquinones and carbohydrates. Highest zone of inhibition of 7 mm and 10 mm was recorded on the ethanolic extracts of orange and lime tree stems on Staphylococcus. aureus respectively. No activity was recorded on both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the trees on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MIC and MBC of 59 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml for the ethanolic extracts of lime tree stem on S. aureus and Proteus mirabilis were recorded. For the orange tree, MIC and MBC of 25 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml were recorded for the ethanolic extracts were recorded on S. aureus.

Conclusion: Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Citrus sinensis and Citrus aurantifolia were shown to be active against some of the microorganisms isolated from human teeth.