Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> This study examined various drying techniques to assess their impact on the chemical composition and biological activities of lemon verbena, particularly in its application within the pharmaceutical industry. The drying techniques employed included sun drying, shade drying, oven drying at temperatures of 30, 40, and 50°C, microwave drying at power levels of 100 and 300W, and freeze drying. Components of hydro-distilled essential oils were analyzed, and their antibacterial efficacy was assessed against six bacterial strains. Findings indicated that the essential oil extracted from samples dried using a microwave at 300W exhibited the highest concentration of secondary metabolites, reaching 88.6%, and contained 34 active compounds. The essential oil extracted from sun-dried samples exhibited a low concentration of secondary metabolites, quantified at 66.49%, comprising 25 distinct bioactive compounds. D-limonene was identified in the essential oil derived from all drying techniques, with its concentration ranging from 10.67% in samples dried in an oven at 40 and 50°C to 6.51% in those dried by sunlight. Largest diameter of the non-growth halo (73mm) was related to <italic>Streptococcus pyogenes</italic> by treatment with essential oil of samples dried in an oven (30°C). The essential oil from sun-dried samples exhibited no inhibitory effect against <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> . In contrast, the antimicrobial activity of all essential oils demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect. Overall, lemon verbena essential oils are composed of chemical compounds with significant potential for combating bacterial infections. </p>