Chemical Composition and Bioactivity of Essential Oils from Lippia alba and Aloysia citrodora

Abstract

This study investigates the chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils extracted from Lippia alba (commonly known as lemon verbena) and Aloysia citrodora (also known as lemon verbena). These aromatic plants, native to South America, have been traditionally used in folk medicine for their therapeutic properties. The essential oils were obtained through steam distillation, and their chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, the bioactivity of the essential oils was evaluated in terms of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The results provide insights into the potential applications of these essential oils in pharmaceuticals, food preservation, and cosmetics.