Assessment of the essential oil extracted from Citrus aurantifolia leaves using solvent-free microwave extraction technique

• EO extracted from Bangladeshi C. aurantifolia leaves by cost-effective SFME method. • GC–MS profiling identified numerous bioactive components like d-limonene and neral. • Extracted essential oil has higher antioxidant activity compared to standard BHT. • Antimicrobial effects against various types of bacteria exhibited by this EO. • The EO can replace synthetic antioxidants in both foods and medications. Citrus aurantifolia is a widely cultivated species with various culinary and medicinal applications. Essential oil (EO) extracted from Bangladeshi C. aurantifolia leaves was evaluated for its potential to act as a bioactive, antioxidant, and antibacterial agent. EO was obtained from C. aurantifolia leaves using solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling revealed multiple bioactive components in C. aurantifolia leaves…