Comparative Analysis of Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Artemisia argyi and Artemisia lavandulifolia Hydrosols

ABSTRACT Hydrosols from Artemisia argyi and A. lavandulifolia collected across different regions and seasons in Shandong Province, China, were comparatively analyzed for chemical composition and antibacterial activity. GC–MS results showed that A. lavandulifolia hydrosol contained higher levels of terpinen‐4‐ol and α‐terpineol and exhibited a chemical profile distinct from A. argyi . Variations in key volatile compounds suggested influences of harvest season and geographic origin. Antibacterial assays against five bacterial strains showed that both hydrosols inhibited Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Proteus vulgaris ATCC 49132, with A. lavandulifolia displaying stronger activity. Multivariate analyses, including HCA, PCA, and heatmaps, further supported species‐related differences with partial sample overlap. These findings highlight the compositional and bioactive diversity of Artemisia hydrosols and their potential as natural antimicrobial agents.