Abstract

EVALUATION OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (KEY LIME) AGAINST DIFFERENT MICROBIAL SPECIES ISOLATED FROM ASTHMA AND SINUSITIS PATIENTS

Noman D Salih*

ABSTRACT

Objective: Asthma and sinusitis can be correlated due to the vinflammation triggered by certain pathogens. Citrus aurantifolia had the antimicrobial properties that could halt some infections caused by different microbes. This study investigated the relationship between asthma and sinusitis in term of pathogenic microorganisms isolated from the patients and the ability of Citrus aurantifolia extracts to combat the growth of these pathogens. Methods: Among 30 participants (10 asthmatics, 10 sinusitis, and 10 controls) were involved in this study, major 6 common types of pathogens were isolated, identified and then treated with different concentrations of Citrus aurantifolia (ethanol and aqueous) extractions. Results: Both types of extracts were able to inhibit the growth of the all isolated pathogenic microorganisms with highly significant differences (p<0.001). Conclusion: Citrus aurantifolia extracts may serve ascandidates for developing a safe, complaisance and promising antibacterial and antifungal compound to avoid, treat, or lessen most of the upper respiratory tract infections.

Keywords: asthma, sinusitis, key lime, Citrus aurantifolia, antibacterial, antifungal.