Résumé:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Mentha pulegiumL. essential oil harvested in the Mostaganem region. Essential oil extraction yielded 0.75%.
Antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH method, revealing notable antioxidant power with an IC₅₀ value of 22.17 μg/ml.
Antibacterial activity was studied by the disk diffusion method,tested against six pathogenic strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results showed good sensitivity of Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative E. coli, while P. aeruginosa and S. typhi proved resistant. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were also determined to better characterize the efficacy of the essential oil.
These results suggest that Mentha pulegiumL.essential oil has interesting antioxidant potential and targeted antimicrobial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria.
