The Phytochemical Profile of the Wild Mullein <i>Verbascum uschakense</i> (Murb.) Hub‐Mor. With Antibacterial Potential Against Clinical Strains of <scp> <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> </scp>

The global rise in antibiotic resistance necessitates the urgent exploration of novel antimicrobial agents, particularly against resilient pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and antibacterial potential of methanolic, aqueous and hydrosol extracts (aromatic, water-based product) of the endemic Turkish plant Verbascum uschakense. Phytochemical profiling was conducted using GC-MS and HPLC analyses. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against four clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and well diffusion methods. GC-MS analysis identified numerous bioactive compounds, including fatty acids, phenols and hydrocarbons, while HPLC analysis of the methanolic extract revealed ferulic, coumaric, syringic and sinapinic acids as principal constituents. The methanolic extract demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, yielding an MIC of 0.25 mg/mL against all A. baumannii strains. In contrast, aqueous and hydrosol extracts showed no inhibitory effects. These findings highlight V. uschakense as a rich source of bioactive compounds with promising potential for developing novel therapeutic agents, functional foods and nutraceuticals.