Essential oils and extracts from a wide variety of plants have long been used for medicinal purposes. They are potential sources of novel drugs especially against bacterial pathogens 1–3 . Citrus hystrix DC, commonly known as makrut lime, is a common tropical herb in the family Rutaceae found everywhere in Southeast Asia4. Makrut lime is a thorny bush with aromatic leaves and dark green fruits with irregular bumpy surface (Fig. 1). The valued parts of makrut lime are the leaves and fruit peel.