Antimicrobial activity of citrus semivolatile compounds obtained through a new enzyme assisted extraction technique

A continuous population and industrialization growth have enhanced the production of chemical compounds as well as their structural chemical diversification. Unfortunately, they have become an increasing burden for the environmental sustainability and biodiversity. The need for producing and using environmentally friendly products become increasingly evident in the current context of environmental concerns. It is crucial to develop new products and technologies that reduce their overall harmful environmental impact and promote its sustainability. In this study, the citrus peels waste was transformed into a potential antibacterial and antifungal extract by hydrodistillation. The efficacy of orange peels hydro distillation process in obtaining plant extracts was improved by a pre-enzyme-assisted extraction step. Enzymes such as cellulase and pectinase improved the breakdown of cellulose and pectin structures, which led to an increased extraction yield of bioactive compounds and antimicrobial activity.