Chemotypic and Seasonal Variation in Essential Oils from <em>Mespilodaphne cymbarum</em> (Kunth) Trofimov and Their Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities

This study investigated the essential oils (EOs) from leaves, bark, and fruits of Mespilodaphne cymbarum (Kunth) Trofimov (Lauraceae), characterizing their chemical composition and evaluating their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. EOs were extracted from plants collected in the Amazon during dry and flood seasons and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Although chemical differences were evident among plant organs and chemotypes, the influence of seasonality was not pronounced. Major metabolites of fruits EO were α- and β-santalene and limonene. Bark EO was rich in phenylpropanoids, including methyl eugenol, myristicin and elemicin. Leaf EOs showed the greatest metabolic diversity, with chemotype-specific variations. Essential oils from leaves and bark demonstrated superior antibacterial and antibiofilm activities compared to fruit oils, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. Differences among plant organs and chemotypes were observed, with leaf oils showing strong inhibition of biofilm formation and bark oils exhibiting broader antibacterial effects. These findings highlight the potential of M. cymbarum EOs as a natural source of bioactive compounds and emphasizing the importance of chemotype and plant organ selection for optimized applications.