Antibacterial activity of calamansi, Citrofortunella macrocarpa, fruit waste extract against aquaculture pathogens
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Abstract
Infectious diseases and multidrug-resistant microorganisms in global aquaculture have become major challenges in the industry that necessitate innovative solutions. This study investigated the antibacterial potential of Calamansi Citrofortunella macrocarpa fruit processing waste. The extracts were evaluated for their efficacy against known aquaculture pathogens, including Streptococcus agalactiae, Aeromonas veronii, Edwardsiella tarda, Vibrio harveyi, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Different drying methods (sun drying, dehydrator drying, oven drying) were used to obtain dried calamansi powder. The semi-solid extract was prepared via maceration with 95% ethanol. Extraction yields varied across drying techniques, with sun-dried samples yielding the highest (7%), oven-dried extracts at 6%, and dehydrator-dried samples the lowest (3%). Antibacterial activity was assessed via agar well diffusion, and potency was further confirmed by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Inhibition zones across pathogens ranged from 5.7 to 9.1 mm, compared to oxytetracycline as the positive control (14.6 mm). MIC assays revealed stronger antibacterial effects in sun-dried and dehydrator-derived extracts (256–512 mg/mL), while oven-dried extracts exhibited weaker activity (1024 mg/mL). Calamansi fruit waste emerges as a promising alternative for combating aquaculture pathogens, contributing to waste management and sustainable solutions. However, we show here that antimicrobial potential is significantly influenced by drying methods. Further research is crucial for identifying specific antibacterial compounds, optimizing application methods, and ensuring safety in aquaculture practices. This investigation contributes valuable knowledge for harnessing the antibacterial properties of calamansi waste in aquaculture, addressing the pressing concerns of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance.
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