Comparative study on the phenolic composition and in vitro bioactivity of medicinal and aromatic plants from the Lamiaceae family.

[Display omitted] • Melissa officinalis had the highest bioactivities and phenolic composition. • Salvia officinalis had the best microbiological response. • Excellent antioxidant activity was related to the rich phenolic composition. • Lamiaceae plants had better antioxidant potential than synthetic preservatives. Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) have been described as a source of phenolic compounds with potential as antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimicrobial agents. MAP from the Lamiaceae family (Origanum vulgare L. , Thymus vulgaris L. , Ocimum basilicum L. , Salvia officinalis L. , Melissa officinalis L., and Matricaria chamomilla L.) were selected to perform a phytochemical and biological screening for their further exploitation as natural bioactive ingredients. The total content of phenolic compounds varied from 184.02 mg/g extract in M. officinalis to 17.97 mg/g extract in M. chamomilla. Caffeic and rosmarinic acids were the main phenolic acids found in the respective hydroalcoholic extracts. The extracts showed a promising antioxidant activity in vitro , being related the phenolic compositions of the extracts, furthermore, all extracts being able to combat lipid peroxidation in TBARS assays with an IC 50 under 26 μg/mL, moreover all the plant extract has prevented the oxidative haemolysis in OxHLIA assays at concentrations below 67 μg/mL in a Δt 60 min and under 118 μg/mL for a Δt 120 min. Regarding to the bactericidal and fungicidal action the plant extracts were able to inhibit growth against bacteria associated with food hazards, such as Salmonella typhimurium (MIC < 1) and Listeria monocytogenes (MIC < 1), regarding to fungicidal activity it can be highlighted the MIC values under to 0.25 for Aspergillus versicolor and Trichoderma viride. Overall, the selected Lamiaceae plants stood out as a source of active phytochemicals that can be used by different industries, such as food and cosmetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]