Combination of Nutmeg Seed (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Essential Oils: Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities

Enny Fachriyah; Tyara Qisti Aisyah; Muhammad Badrul Huda

doi:10.14710/jksa.29.5.338-346

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jksa.29.5.338-346

Combination of Nutmeg Seed (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Essential Oils: Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities

Enny Fachriyah

, Tyara Qisti Aisyah, Muhammad Badrul Huda

Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Diponegoro University, Jl. Prof. Soedarto, SH., Tembalang, Semarang, Indonesia

Received: 31 Mar 2026; Revised: 23 Apr 2026; Accepted: 12 May 2026; Published: 15 Jun 2026.

BibTex Citation Data :

@article{JKSA83427,
    author = {Enny Fachriyah and Tyara Qisti Aisyah and Muhammad Badrul Huda},
    title = {Combination of Nutmeg Seed (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Essential Oils: Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities},
    journal = {Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi},
  volume = {29},
    number = {5},
    year = {2026},
    keywords = {Essential oils; nutmeg; lemongrass; antioxidants; antibacterial},
    abstract = {Essential oils are secondary metabolites that exhibit various biological activities, such as antioxidants and antibacterial activities. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of nutmeg seed ( Myristica fragrans  Houtt.) and lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus ) essential oils, as well as their combination. The essential oils were obtained by steam distillation, physically characterized, and their chemical components analyzed using GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH method, and antibacterial activity was evaluated using the well-diffusion method against  E. coli  and  S. aureus . The results showed that nutmeg seed essential oil contained  α -pinene (18.49%) as the major compound with moderate antioxidant activity (IC 50  = 139.49 mg/L), whereas lemongrass essential oil was dominated by α-pinene (29.19%) with lower antioxidant activity (IC 50  = 263.54 mg/L). In antibacterial assays, nutmeg essential oil showed moderate to strong activity, while lemongrass essential oil exhibited weak to moderate activity. Among the combinations, the ratio of 2:1 (nutmeg:lemongrass) demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 13.50 mm against  E. coli  and 14.00 mm against  S. aureus  at 50% concentration, indicating improved antibacterial effects compared to other combinations. The combined essential oils of nutmeg and lemongrass exhibited bacteriostatic activity and showed improved antibacterial effects; however, no enhancement in antioxidant activity was observed.},
   issn = {2597-9914},   pages = {338--346}  doi = {10.14710/jksa.29.5.338-346},
    url = {https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/ksa/article/view/83427}
}

Citation Format:

Abstract

Essential oils are secondary metabolites that exhibit various biological activities, such as antioxidants and antibacterial activities. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of nutmeg seed (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oils, as well as their combination. The essential oils were obtained by steam distillation, physically characterized, and their chemical components analyzed using GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH method, and antibacterial activity was evaluated using the well-diffusion method against E. coli and S. aureus. The results showed that nutmeg seed essential oil contained α-pinene (18.49%) as the major compound with moderate antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 139.49 mg/L), whereas lemongrass essential oil was dominated by α-pinene (29.19%) with lower antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 263.54 mg/L). In antibacterial assays, nutmeg essential oil showed moderate to strong activity, while lemongrass essential oil exhibited weak to moderate activity. Among the combinations, the ratio of 2:1 (nutmeg:lemongrass) demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 13.50 mm against E. coli and 14.00 mm against S. aureus at 50% concentration, indicating improved antibacterial effects compared to other combinations. The combined essential oils of nutmeg and lemongrass exhibited bacteriostatic activity and showed improved antibacterial effects; however, no enhancement in antioxidant activity was observed.

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Keywords: Essential oils; nutmeg; lemongrass; antioxidants; antibacterial

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Section: Research Articles

Language : EN

In Vol 29, No 5 (2026): Volume 29 Issue 5 Year 2026

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