Solvent-free microwave extraction of essential oil from pigeon pea leaves [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity

•The essential oil from pigeon pea leaves was extracted by SFME.•CCD was combined with RSM.•GC-MS shows the compositions of essential oil.•The essential oil was a natural antimicrobial.

Solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) of essential oil from pigeon pea leaves and its antimicrobial activity were investigated. The process of SFME was optimized by a central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal parameters were extraction time 44 min, irradiation power 660 W, and humidity 68%, with extraction yield of 0.330 (%, w/w). The main constituents were sesquiterpenes (72.89%), including α-copaene (5.89%), β-caryophyllene (7.46%), α-himachalene (12.97%), α-humulene (17.43%), alloaromadendrene (8.45%), and α-bisabolene (12.64%). The essential oil showed stronger antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Propionibacterium acnes with MIC and MBC values 1.06 mg/mL and 2.12 mg/mL, 0.13 mg/mL and 0.26 mg/mL, respectively. These results indicated that SFME method was an outstanding alternative for the extraction of essential oil from pigeon pea leaves, and the essential oil was a potential source of natural antimicrobial.

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