Do perfil químico à inovação cosmética: potencial antioxidante e antimicrobiano do óleo essencial de Cymbopogon densiflorus

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the chemical profile, evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Cymbopogon densiflorus essential oil, and develop and analyze a topical cosmetic formulation incorporating the oil. The plant material was collected in the North-Central region of Bahia, and the essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus. Chemical characterization was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), complemented by molecular network analysis using the GNPS platform. The antioxidant evaluation was conducted by the DPPH• radical method, while the antimicrobial activity was determined by the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods, against the strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. The GC-MS analysis revealed eleven major constituents, representing 40.7% of the total composition, with a predominance of oxygenated monoterpenes, highlighting Trans-isopulegol (18.9%), Cis-p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol (16.9%), Trans-p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol (15.0%) and D-limonene (14.0%). The essential oil showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity, reaching 10.4% inhibition of the DPPH• radical at a concentration of 80 mg/mL. In antimicrobial tests, significant activity was observed against S. aureus, with mean inhibition zones of 14.3 ± 0.5 mm, and a moderate effect against E. coli, with a zone of 9.8 ± 0.6 mm, in addition to a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 400 µg/mL for the pure oil. The nonionic cream cosmetic formulation containing 10% essential oil demonstrated good physical and organoleptic stability over 30 days, maintaining a stable pH and the absence of phase separation. The product also demonstrated antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, suggesting potential application as an active agent in natural dermocosmetic formulations. The results obtained confirm the biotechnological potential of Cymbopogon densiflorus essential oil, indicating it as a promising source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, suitable for application in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and herbal medicine industries.