In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Orange Peel Oil Extract from Citrus Sinensis Fruit in Erbil

Orange is one of the world's most popular fruit crops, contains active constituents that can protect health. In this study orange obtained from Erbil farms and orange peel oil were extracted by using pressing machine-heating systems and hydro-distillation. Two methods have been used to extract orange peel oil including the use of diethyl ether solvent and pressing machine. The obtained results indicate that solvent mode was better (10ml) than pressing machine (1.5 ml) in the extraction of this flavonoid oil from 500 gm of orange peel. The fruit peel extract of orange peel oil showed potent activity against Gram-positive St. aureus but lower activity against Gram-negative E. coli and Pse. Aeruginosa, while showed no activity against Candida albicans compared to positive control of amoxicillin. As a result, citrus should be employed as an alternative to synthetic preservatives to minimize their ill effects as they are natural and protect human health.