@Article{phyton.2026.079695,
AUTHOR = {Milica Aćimović, Milena Popov, Nataša Mandić, Ana Tomić, Biljana Lončar, Lato Pezo, Mirjana Cvetković, Jovana Stanković Jeremić, Olja Šovljanski},
TITLE = {Lemon Catnip Hydrolate as a Dual-Function Bioresource: <i>In Vitro</i> Assessment of Phytotoxicity and Preservative Activity},
JOURNAL = {Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany},
VOLUME = {},
YEAR = {},
NUMBER = {},
PAGES = {{pages}},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/phyton/online/detail/27273},
ISSN = {1851-5657},
ABSTRACT = {(1) Background: Plant hydrolates are widely generated as by-products of essential oil distillation, yet their potential biological properties remain insufficiently explored. This study evaluated whether that lemon catnip (<i>Nepeta cataria</i> var. <i>citriodora</i>) hydrolate exhibits allelopathic and antimicrobial effects in preliminary <i>in vitro</i> assays, contributing to the valorization of distillation residues within circular bioeconomy approaches. (2) Methods: Phytotoxic effects on germination and early seedling growth of crops (maize, soybean, and white clover) and weeds (common lambsquarters, amaranth, and wild carrot) were evaluated under <i>in vitro</i> conditions using hydrolate solutions (10%, 20%, 50%, and 100%). Germination kinetics were modelled using first-order, Elovich, double-constant, and Langmuir equations. Antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antiadhesion activities were assessed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts using agar diffusion and crystal violet screening assays. (3) Results: The hydrolate induced concentration-dependent inhibition of seed germination, with weed species showing greater sensitivity than crops. Complete suppression of weed germination occurred at ≥50% concentration, whereas maize retained partial tolerance. Germination performance indices declined significantly with increasing concentration. In antimicrobial screening assays, the hydrolate showed greater antimicrobial activity and reduced Gram-positive bacteria, reducing <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> biofilm formation by 70% and adhesion by 75%. (4) Conclusions: Lemon catnip hydrolate demonstrated screening-level allelopathic, antimicrobial and biofilm-associated inhibitory effects under <i>in vitro</i> conditions. These findings highlight the potential of hydrolates derived from essential oil distillation as bioactive by-products and support further investigation using quantitative antimicrobial testing and applied models to assess their practical relevance.},
DOI = {10.32604/phyton.2026.079695}
}