Author(s): Adeline Dorcas F, Sheila John, Estherlydia, Priya Iyer, Priyadarshini S

Abstract:
The presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and essential oil in citrus peels makes it a potent inhibitor for various microorganisms. The citrus peel possesses many beneficial constituents such as phytochemicals, essential oil, fibre and pectin which provide numerous health benefits to humans but these peels are often discarded or fed to animals. The main objective of the study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) peel powder and to develop nutritious recipes incorporating the peel powder. The antimicrobial activity of different extracts (aqueous, acetone and ethanol) of peel powder using agar well diffusion method indicated that acetone extract exhibited highest inhibition for E.coli, Salmonella typhi, Enterobacter spp and Aspergillus Niger while ethanol exhibited highest inhibition for Enterobacter spp. The recipes were classified into four different categories namely breakfast and lunch, gravies and side dishes, desserts and sweets and quick and easy to make recipes.