Influence of growth stage on the chemical composition, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential of Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. essential oil

Correlation analysis revealed negative associations between key bioactive compounds (e.g., carvone, D-limonene, α-methylcinnamaldehyde, and (S)-perillyl alcohol) and microbial/oxidative inhibition thresholds, confirming their contribution to CMEO bioactivity. These findings highlight the critical role of harvest timing in maximizing the chemical richness, antimicrobial efficacy, and antioxidant potential of CMEO.