Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm) Swingle: Biological potential and safety profile of essential oils from leaves and fruit peels

• Published in: Food bioscience Vol. 40; p. 100905
• Main Authors: Weimer, Patrícia, Lisbôa Moura, Josué Guilherme, Mossmann, Vanessa, Immig, Mônica Luiza, de Castilhos, Juliana, Rossi, Rochele Cassanta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2021
• Subjects: Antioxidant; Cytotoxic; GC-MS; HET-CAM; Key lime; Rutaceae; GC-MS; Key lime; Antioxidant; Cytotoxic; HET-CAM; Rutaceae
• ISSN: 2212-4292; 2212-4306
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2021.100905

This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, irritant potential, and in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the essential oils (EO) from leaves and fruit peels of C. aurantiifolia cultivated in southern Brazil. Analyses of chemical composition revealed the presence of 9 compounds in EO fruits (EOF), yielding 93.50% R-(+)-limonene and 20 compounds in the leaf EO (EOL), yielding 45.70% R-(+)-limonene. In vitro antioxidant analyses showed the EOL had excellent antioxidant potential, and 10-fold superior to the EOF. In vitro cytotoxic capacity was evaluated for HT-29, MDA-MB 231, and HepG2 cells. Both EO showed better response in the HT-29 cell line. Finally, the irritant potential was evaluated using Hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test, in which no effect was observed after dilution of EO suggesting the effects are dose dependent. From the experimental results, the EOL, yielded better results, likely due to the greater chemical complexity of its biological matrix.
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•Chemical characterization of essential oils from leaves and fruit peels of C. aurantiifolia.•Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.•First study to assess irritation profile of C. aurantiifolia essential oils using the HET-CAM test.•The irritant effects (hemorrhage, coagulation, and vasoconstriction) were dose-dependent.•The paper presents in vitro data far from therapeutic applications.