Résumé:
This study focuses on the analysis of essential oils extracted from lemon peels (Citrus Limon)
sourced from the Mostaganem province in Algeria. The extraction method used was steam
distillation, yielding 30 ml of volatile oils. This technique is widely recognized for its ability
to preserve the bioactive compounds in plants.
Physicochemical analyses performed on the essential oil revealed that their characteristics
(such as density, refractive index, and chemical composition) comply with international
standards established by AFNOR, ensuring the quality and purity of the extracts. To evaluate
the antibacterial efficacy of the essential oils, tests were conducted on three bacterial strains:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853); Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922); Staphylococcus
aureus (ATCC 25923).The Results from agar diffusion tests showed significant inhibitory
activity against these bacteria, highlighting the potential of lemon essential oils as natural
antimicrobial agents. This effective essisat tribute to the presence of bioactive compounds
such as limonene and citral, known for their antibacterial properties. Additionally,
complementary analyses were conducted to assess the antioxidant properties of the essential
oils, revealing further potential for use in food preservation and cosmetics. These results
emphasize not only the importance of lemon essential oils in alternative medicine but also
their potential applications in the agro-food and pharmaceutical industries.
