Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Melissa officinalis Extracts
Summary
Melissa officinalis, commonly known as lemon balm, yields extracts and essential oils rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids and monoterpenes that confer significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and terpenoids such as geranial and neral represent key constituents whose redox properties neutralise reactive oxygen species, protecting cells from oxidative damage. Concurrently, these phytochemicals disrupt microbial cell membranes, inhibit key enzymes and interfere with biofilm formation, reducing the viability of bacteria and fungi. Advances in extraction methods, formulation technologies and material integration have enhanced the stability, bioavailability and targeted delivery of lemon balm bioactives. Such innovations underpin applications in food preservation, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals and biomedical devices, underscoring the global significance of Melissa officinalis as a multifunctional natural source.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Melissa officinalis Extracts publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of melissa officinalis extracts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Rosmarinic acid: A polyphenolic compound abundant in lemon balm with strong radical-scavenging and antimicrobial properties.
DPPH assay: A colourimetric method that uses the DPPH free radical to quantify antioxidant activity by measuring absorbance changes.
Microencapsulation: A technique that encloses bioactive compounds within protective matrices to enhance stability, shelf life and controlled release.
Electrospinning: A process in which a high voltage is applied to a polymer solution to produce continuous nanofibres for material applications.
Biofilm formation: The aggregation of microorganisms on surfaces within a self-produced extracellular matrix, often leading to increased resistance.
References
- Melissa officinalis: Composition, Pharmacological Effects and Derived Release Systems—A Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022).
- The Valorisation of Melissa officinalis Distillation By-Products for the Production of Polyphenol-Rich Formulations. Molecules (2024).
- Electrospun PLA-Based Biomaterials Loaded with Melissa officinalis Extract with Strong Antioxidant Activity. Polymers (2023).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.