Phytochemical Contents and In Vitro Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Root Extracts From <i>Pelargonium</i> Species

Pelargonium species are aromatic plants, the extracts of which from both underground and above-ground tissues have been traditionally used to treat various diseases. Scientific studies have predominantly focused on Pelargonium sidoides DC. (PeSid) and Pelargonium reniforme species. In Türkiye, Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl. (PeEnd) and Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew (PeQue) species of the Pelargonium genus are naturally distributed. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant properties, phenolic profiles, mineral content, color parameters, and antibacterial activities of ethanol and methanol extracts from these Pelargonium species. Antioxidant parameters and color values varied significantly (p < 0.01) both among the species and depending on the solvent used (ethanol or methanol). In color measurements from dried plant powders, PeEnd exhibited the highest a*, b*, and C* values, whereas PeSid showed the highest L* and h° values. Regarding mineral content, PeSid had the highest Na, K, Cu, and Se levels, whereas PeQue exhibited the highest Mg, Mn, and Fe levels, with significant differences among the species (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes.