FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF AN AROMA THERAPY ROLL-ON USING MANDARIN ORANGE PEEL (CITRUS RETICULATA) ESSENTIAL OIL

Abstract

Mandarin oranges (Citrus reticulata) are cultivated on a large scale in Southeast Asia, and their peel is an excellent source of essential oil, which is largely used in aromatherapy preparations. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify mandarin essential oil, prepare it as a roll-on aromatherapy product, and conduct a thorough physical analysis. Mandarin peels were hydro distilled to extract essential oil and then examined for physicochemical properties. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 18 chemical constituents of which the major one was limonene (28.58%). The product also contained lemongrass oil, menthol, coconut oil, and camphor. Physical characteristics like viscosity, stability, specific gravity (0.91 g/mL), and antibacterial activity were measured. The formulation inhibited Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The yield of the essential oil was 0.54%, and formulation M1 showed the maximum aroma intensity with a duration of almost five hours. In general, the roll-on aromatherapy satisfied all physical assessment criteria and showed significant antibacterial activities. This indicates that mandarin essential oil can be used successfully in topical aromatherapy use for sensory and therapeutic purposes