Bioactive compounds and in vitro antibacterial activity of Clinopodium bolivianum (Benth) Kuntze

Clinopodium bolivianum (Benth) Kuntze, known as Inca muña, is an aromatic plant traditionally used in the high Andean regions of Peru. This study evaluated the bioactive compounds and antibacterial activity of its essential oil and aqueous extract from fresh and dry leaves against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Bioactive compounds were identified using GC-MS and UPLC. Antibacterial activity was assessed by inhibition zone diameter (IZD), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The dry essential oil exhibited stronger antibacterial activity against S. aureus (IZD 23.30 ± 1.15 mm, MBC 5.49 g/L, MIC 2.74 g/L) than the fresh oil and aqueous extracts. These results suggest that the essential oil of dry Clinopodium bolivianum has potential therapeutic, antibacterial, and preservative applications, particularly against S. aureus.