Integrated Volatile Profiling and Bioactivity Assessment of <scp> <i>Laurus nobilis</i> </scp> L. Essential Oil: A Focus on Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Attributes

ABSTRACT Given Türkiye's global dominance in Laurus nobilis production, this study aimed to characterise its bioactive volatile compounds by optimising automated solvent extraction (ASE) conditions using a three‐factor Box–Behnken design. The main compound in the volatile substance was determined to be 1,8‐cineole (18.63%–43.99%), followed by limonene dioxide (10.98%–31.39%) and epoxylinalol (2.73%–8.97%). The optimal extraction conditions were determined as 80% solvent concentration, 2.398 g solid mass and 18.972 min immersion time. The extract obtained under optimum conditions was subjected to the DPPH and FRAP assays. The extract demonstrated strong antioxidant activity with a DPPH IC 50 value of 60.61 μg/mL and a FRAP value of 620 μmol Fe 2+ /g extract. Additionally, the antimicrobial test identified inhibition zones against both Staphylococcus aureus (16.2 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (14.1 mm). The extract also showed measurable activity against Candida albicans (12.7 mm) and Aspergillus niger (6.4 mm). MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values confirmed the high sensitivity of Aspergillus niger (31.25 μg/mL). The data obtained present that the L. nobilis extract has potential as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial additive in pharmaceutical and functional food formulations.