Anti-acne activity and nanoemulsion formulation of a combination of lime peel (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle) extract and essential oil

Muhammad Aqsyal; Yesi Desmiaty; Siti Umrah Noor

doi:10.35814/jifi.v24i1.2102

Authors

Muhammad Aqsyal Departement Pharmaceutical, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Pancasila, Jakarta, 12640, Indonesia
Yesi Desmiaty Departement of Biological Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Pancasila, Jakarta, 12640, Indonesia
Siti Umrah Noor Departement of Biological Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Pancasila, Jakarta, 12640, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35814/jifi.v24i1.2102

Keywords:

Antibacterial, Citrus aurantifolia, Ultrasonic, Particle size distribution, Zeta potensial

Abstract

Acne is a common skin disorder closely associated with bacterial infection, particularly Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Lime peel contains flavonoids, saponins, phenolics, tannins, and essential oils that exhibit antibacterial potential. This study aims to evaluate the anti-acne activity of a combination of lime peel extract and essential oil and to formulate it into a nanoemulsion dosage form. An experimental study was conducted using the disk diffusion method to assess anti-acne activity. The inhibition zone was measured after 24-hour incubation at 37 °C. Nanoemulsions were then prepared through ultrasonic processing and characterised using PSA and TEM. The results demonstrated that the extract–essential oil combinations at ratios 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 produced greater inhibition zones than the single agents, indicating a synergistic effect. The nanoemulsion formulated with Alkamuls CRH 40, glycerin, and VCO produced particles <100 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.072–0.141, although the zeta potential values (−14.1 to −16.7 mV) indicated suboptimal stability. Overall, the combination of lime peel extract and essential oil exhibited significant anti-acne activity and has the potential to be developed as a topical nanoemulsion-based preparation.

References

[1] N. Sifatullah And Z. Zulkarnain, “Jerawat (Acne Vulgaris): Review Penyakit İnfeksi Pada Kulit,” Prosiding Seminar Nasional Biologi, No. November, Pp. 19–23, 2021.

[2] V. A. Yusuf, N. Nurbaiti, And T. O. Permatasari, “Hubungan Antara Tingkat Pengetahuan Pelajar Sekolah Menengah Atas Tentang Acne Vulgaris Pada Wajah Dengan Perilaku Pengobatannya,” Tunas Medika Jurnal Kedokteran & Kesehatan, Vol. 6(2), Pp. 2017–2020, 2020.

[3] L. W. Kristianti, E. N. Hidayati, And J. Santoso, “Formulasi Dan Uji Sediaan Patch Ekstrak Daun Pacar Air ( Impatiens Balsamina L ) Sebagai Antibakteri Terhadap Bakteri Propionibacterium Acnes Penyebab Jerawat,” Majalah Farmasetika, Vol. 9, No. 6, Pp. 561–576, 2024.

[4] D. Forestryana And A. Arnida, “Skrining Fitokimia Dan Analisis Kromatografi Lapis Tipis Ekstrak Etanol Daun Jeruju (Hydrolea Spinosa L.),” Jurnal Ilmiah Farmako Bahari, Vol. 11, No. 2, P. 113, 2020, Doi: 10.52434/Jfb.V11i2.859.

[5] S. Rahmadani, Siti Sa’diah, And Sri Wardatun, “Optimasi Ekstraksi Jahe Merah (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe) Dengan Metode Maserasi,” Jurnal Online Mahasiswa, Vol. 1, No. 2, Pp. 1–8, 2018.

[6] Y. Desmiaty, F. Xavier, N. M. D. Sandhiutami, Y. Noviani, F. Alatas, And R. Agustin, “Unlocking The Potential Of Citrus Aurantiifolia Bioactive Compounds, Functional Benefits, And Food Applications: A Comprehensive Review,” Food Bioscience, Vol. 66, 2025, Doi: Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Fbio.2025.106259.

[7] M. Aqsyal, “Formulasi Dan Uji Aktivitas Krim Antibakteri Ekstrak Ethanol Jahe Gajah (Zingiber Offcinale Rosc.) Terhadap Staphylococcus Aureus,” Pharmacine, Vol. 4, No. 1, Pp. 51–62, 2024, Doi: 10.35706/Pc.V4i1.9035.

[8] A. N. Sari And M. T. Asri, “Aktivitas Antibakteri Ekstrak Kulit Jeruk Nipis (Citrus Aurantifolia) Terhadap Pertumbuhan Bakteri Shigella Dysenteriae,” Lenterabio, Vol. 11, No. 3, Pp. 441–448, 2022.

[9] A. Irwan, N. Humaida, And H. S. Nur, “Antibacterial Activity Assay Of Essential Oils From Limau Kuit Peel Against Staphylococcus Aureus,” Iop Conference Series: Materials Science And Engineering, Vol. 980, No. 1, 2020, Doi: 10.1088/1757-899x/980/1/012026.

[10] Y. Han, Z. Sun, And W. Chen, “Antimicrobial Susceptibility And Antibacterial Mechanism Of Limonene Against Listeria Monocytogenes,” Molecules, Vol. 25, No. 1, Pp. 1–15, 2020, Doi: 10.3390/Molecules25010033.

[11] M. K. Rijal And M. T. Asri, “Uji Aktivitas Antibakteri Kombinasi Ekstrak Daun Psidium Guajava Dan Perasan Citrus Aurantifolia Terhadap Pertumbuhan Propionibacterium Acnes Antibacterial Activity Test Of The Combination Of Psidium Guajava Leaves Extract And Citrus Aurantifolia Juice On,” Lentera Bio, Vol. 13, No. 2, Pp. 279–288, 2024.

[12] A. Amaliah Et Al., “Aktivitas Antibakteri Kombinasi Ekstrak Etanol Daun Binahong Dan Kemangi Terhadap Pertumbuhan Escherichia Coli,” Lentera Bio, Vol. 11, No. 3, Pp. 603–610, 2022.

[13] Wa Ode Sitti Zubaydah Et Al., “Formulasi Dan Karakterisasi Nanoemulsi Ekstrak Etanol Buah Wualae (Etlingera Elatior (Jack) R.M. Smith),” Lansau: Jurnal Ilmu Kefarmasian, Vol. 1, No. 1, Pp. 22–37, 2023, Doi: 10.33772/Lansau.V1i1.4.

[14] S. M. M. Gheisari, R. G. Ghoachani, M. Malaki, P. Safarpour, And M. Zandi, “Ultrasonic Nano-Emulsification – A Review,” Ultrasonics - Sonochemistry, Vol. 35, Pp. 88–105, 2018.

[15] A. Amiri-Rigi, S. Abbasi, And M. N. Emmambux, “Background, Limitations, And Future Perspectives İn Food Grade Microemulsions And Nanoemulsions,” Food Reviews International, Vol. 39, No. 8, Pp. 5048–5086, 2023, Doi: 10.1080/87559129.2022.2059808.

[16] B. G. Prajapati, A. Parihar, M. Macwan, And S. Pal, “A Comprehensive Review On Applications, Preparation & Characterization Of Nanoemulsion,” Ip International Journal Of Comprehensive And Advanced Pharmacology, Vol. 8, No. 2, Pp. 104–111, 2023, Doi: 10.18231/J.İjcaap.2023.018.

[17] F. S. Handayani, B. H. Nugroho, And S. Z. Munawiroh, “Optimization Of Low Energy Nanoemulsion Of Grape Seed Oil Formulation Using D-Optimal Mixture Design (Dmd) Optimasi Formulasi Nanoemulsi Minyak Biji Anggur Energi Rendah Dengan D-Optimal Mixture Design (Dmd),” Jurnal Ilmiah Farmasi, Vol. 14, No. 1, Pp. 17–34, 2018.

[18] W. Budiarto, N. N. Rochmah, And L. Setiyabudi, “Formulası Sedıaan Nanoemulsı Ekstrak Daun Mangrove Avicennia Marina Dengan Vırgın Coconut Oıl Sebagaı Fase Mınyak,” Jurnal Ilmiah Jophus : Journal Of Pharmacy Umus, Vol. 2, No. 01, Pp. 36–43, 2020.

[19] S. Indratmoko, Suratmi, And E. Issusilaningtyas, “Formulası, Karakterısası Dan Evaluası Self-Nano Emulsıfyıng Drug Delıvery System (Snedds) Ekstrak Etanol Kulıt Buah Nanas Sebagaı Antıbakterı Streptococcus Mutans,” Fitofarmaka : Jurnal Ilmiah Farmasi, Vol. 20, No. 1, Pp. 12–22, 2023.

[20] L. Nurdianti, A. Tajmalah, Ruswanto, And F. Setiawan, “Optimasi Dan Karakterisasi Nanoemulsi Buah Merah Papua ( Pandanus Conoideus ) Sebagai Peningkat Libido,” Journal Of Pharmacopolium, Vol. 5, No. 3, Pp. 262–268, 2023, Doi: 10.36465/Jop.V5i3.318.