Abstract
Kaffir lime extracts contain bioactive compounds that have anti-bacterial properties. However, the production of bioactive compounds varies throughout the year, which limits its use as an antibacterial agent. Therefore, we have used callus induction, an in vitro culture technique, to provide controlled conditions for studying the activity of kaffir lime extracts from kaffir lime leaves and callus. Callus was induced from seed explants. Extraction of bioactive compound was performed by the maceration method using ethyl acetate or chloroform. Bacterial inhibition zone was determined using the Kirby-Baueur method with modifications. Analysis of bioactive compound was done using GCMS. The results showed that all extracts had antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The most potent extracts against S. aureus and E. coli were generated using chloroform and ethyl acetate respectively. Furthermore, the antibacterial mechanism of kaffir lime leaves extracts was determined to be bacteriostatic. Both chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts had several bioactive compounds that inhibit bacterial growth. In addition, kaffir lime callus extracts inhibit S. aureus and E. coli. Together, these data reveal that kaffir lime callus also has broad spectrum antibacterial activity. Although the antibacterial activity of callus was less than that of leaves, these results warrant the further investigation of kaffir lime’s callus to produce antibacterial agents.
