Variation of health-promoting secondary metabolites accumulation and bioactivities among four widely used Apiaceae species

Despite the well-known interest in Apiaceae seeds such as fennel, cumin, caraway, and anise, which have long been valued in traditional medicine and food preservation, comprehensive comparative evaluations of their phytochemical profiles and biological activities remain scarce. This study aimed to assess the phenolic and flavonoid accumulation, essential oil composition, and associated antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects of these seeds under standardized conditions. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified spectrophotometrically, and antioxidant activity was evaluated using total antioxidant activity (TAA) and DPPH assays. Antibacterial efficacy was tested against ten bacterial strains, including multidrug-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, by measuring inhibition zones, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results revealed significant variation in phytochemical contents, with cumin extract exhibiting the highest phenolic content (11.6 mg GAE/g DW), caraway the highest total flavonoid content (7 mg CE/g DW), and fennel the highest essential oil content (3.89%). All extracts demonstrated considerable antioxidant activity, with cumin showing the strongest potential. Both methanolic extracts and essential oils exhibited significant antibacterial effects against all tested strains. However, essential oils showed superior activity, with cumin and caraway oils displaying the broadest and most potent bactericidal effects, including activity against resistant strains. These findings highlight the promising potential of these seed extracts as natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals, supporting future health-promoting applications.