Phytochemical analysis of Citrus aurantifolia (LIME) fruit

Phytochemicals are naturally occurring plant-derived compounds known for their numerous health benefits, particularly their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and therapeutic properties. This study investigates the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical composition of lime fruit (Citrus aurantifolia) using ethanol, water, and n-hexane as solvents. The qualitative screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, and quinones, with varying solubility across different solvents. Cardiac glycosides and coumarins were notably abundant in ethanol and water extracts, while alkaloids were consistently present in all solvents. Quantitative analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids (0.881 %), saponins (0.881 %), tannins (4.4 mg/L), and glycosides (2.54 mg/ml), while flavonoids and phenols were not detected. Comparisons with previous studies revealed some inconsistencies, particularly in the absence of flavonoids and terpenoids, which are typically present in citrus species. These variations may be attributed to differences in plant part analyzed, solvent polarity, extraction methods, or geographic origin. The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of lime fruit and emphasize the need for improved detection methods in future research.