Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Insecticidal Properties of Chemically Characterized Essential Oils Extracted from Mentha longifolia: In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

The present study aimed to explore the phytochemical profile, and evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties, of Moroccan Mentha longifolia L. essential oil (ML-EO) using in vitro and in silico assays. Noteworthily, as chromatography (GC-MS/MS) revealed that ML-EO is majorly composed of piperitenone oxide (53.43%), caryophyllene (20.02%), and (-) germacrene D (16.53%). It possesses excellent antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 1.49 +/- 0.00 for DPPH and 0.051 +/- 0.06 mu g/mL for ABTS. Moreover, the RP and TAC activities were 0.80 +/- 0.01 mu g/mL and 315.532 +/- 0.00 mg EAA/g, respectively. ML-EO exhibited a potent antimicrobial effect, specifically against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It also exhibited strong antifungal ability, especially against Candida albicans. Regarding insecticidal activity, for ML-EO, a dose of 20 mu L/mL produced a complete reduction in fecundity, fertility, and emergence of adult C. maculatus with mortality rates reaching 100%. In silico results showed that the antioxidant activity is mostly attributed to alpha-Cadinol, the antibacterial efficiency is attributed to piperitenone oxide, and antifungal capacity is related to cis-Muurola-4(15),5-diene and piperitenone oxide. Accordingly, ML-EO has high potential to be used as an alternative for preserving food and stored grain and protecting them against microbes and insect pests in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

Automated summary

The present study aimed to explore the phytochemical profile, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties of Moroccan Mentha longifolia L. essential oil. The results showed that the essential oil exhibited excellent antioxidant activity, strong antimicrobial and antifungal effects, and potent insecticidal activity. It has high potential to be used in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.