Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging

Sinan Uzunlu; Didem Selluncak; Ayşe İrem Kılıç; Salim Sezer Arslan

doi:10.31015/2025.si.19

Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging

Abstract

Increasing attention has been given to tropical fruits not only due to their sensory attributes but also because of their functional and health-promoting properties associated with their bioactive composition. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and carotenoids offer many health benefits in terms of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. The purpose of the current study was to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of kumquat (Fortunella spp.) and pomelo (Citrus maxima) fruits. The peel (edible exocarp) and seeds of kumquat and the inedible parts of pomelo fruit (albedo; white mesocarp, and segment peel; segment epidermis and juice sac stalk) were assessed with the aim of valorisation for waste management and contributing to the circular economy. The parts of the fruits mentioned were extracted with water and ethanol for kumquat and pomelo, respectively, and their antioxidant activities were assessed. Antimicrobial activities of the extracts were monitored against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Candida albicans. Pomelo segment peel was studied at three concentrations (100%, 10%, and 1%), whereas the remaining extracts were used at 100% for antimicrobial evaluation. Pomelo segment peel showed higher antioxidant activity than pomelo albedo, kumquat peel, and kumquat seed. Pomelo segment peel at 1% concentration exhibited antimicrobial activity. While pomelo albedo only showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli. Aqueous extracts of kumquat peel and kumquat seed exhibited antioxidant activity but showed no antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms studied. Pomelo segment peel exhibited high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, which promises significant contributions to the food industry. Using these wastes is believed to promote environmental sustainability and support the circular economy.

Keywords

Kumquat, Pomelo, Bioactivity, Active Packaging, Waste Management

Thanks

We thank Dr. Sibel Gümüş (Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya) for providing clinical bacterial isolates, and Dr. Muharrem Gölükçü and Dr. Demet Yıldız Turgut (Batı Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute, Antalya) for rotary evaporation and antioxidant analyses of plant extracts.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Food Sustainability

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sinan Uzunlu ^*
0000-0001-9824-7586
Türkiye

Didem Selluncak
0009-0009-1584-6141
Türkiye

Ayşe İrem Kılıç
0009-0001-6829-8670
Türkiye

Salim Sezer Arslan
0009-0007-0576-1609
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 28, 2025

Submission Date

November 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 20, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: Special

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.19

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA67EA89BU

APA

Uzunlu, S., Selluncak, D., Kılıç, A. İ., & Arslan, S. S. (2025). Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, 9(Special), 115-121. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.19

AMA

1.Uzunlu S, Selluncak D, Kılıç Aİ, Arslan SS. Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025;9(Special):115-121. doi:10.31015/2025.si.19

Chicago

Uzunlu, Sinan, Didem Selluncak, Ayşe İrem Kılıç, and Salim Sezer Arslan. 2025. “Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential Use in Active Packaging”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9 (Special): 115-21. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.19.

EndNote

Uzunlu S, Selluncak D, Kılıç Aİ, Arslan SS (December 1, 2025) Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9 Special 115–121.

IEEE

[1]S. Uzunlu, D. Selluncak, A. İ. Kılıç, and S. S. Arslan, “Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging”, int. j. agric. environ. food sci., vol. 9, no. Special, pp. 115–121, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.31015/2025.si.19.

ISNAD

Uzunlu, Sinan - Selluncak, Didem - Kılıç, Ayşe İrem - Arslan, Salim Sezer. “Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential Use in Active Packaging”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 9/Special (December 1, 2025): 115-121. https://doi.org/10.31015/2025.si.19.

JAMA

1.Uzunlu S, Selluncak D, Kılıç Aİ, Arslan SS. Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025;9:115–121.

MLA

Uzunlu, Sinan, et al. “Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential Use in Active Packaging”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, vol. 9, no. Special, Dec. 2025, pp. 115-21, doi:10.31015/2025.si.19.

Vancouver

1.Sinan Uzunlu, Didem Selluncak, Ayşe İrem Kılıç, Salim Sezer Arslan. Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2025 Dec. 1;9(Special):115-21. doi:10.31015/2025.si.19

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Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging

Determining Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Kumquat and Pomelo Fruits for Potential use in Active Packaging

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