Unveiling Bioactive Compounds of Endemic Ornithogalum yesilyurtense: A First Comprehensive Study

Ornithogalum yesilyurtense Yıld. & Kılıç is a newly described endemic geophyte from Türkiye. This study offers the first comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological profile of the plant. Methanol extracts taken from the aerial and bulb parts were assessed for antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. LC-MS/MS and GC-MS were used to further examine the phenolic and fatty acid contents. The aerial parts showed higher total phenolic content (TPC: 0.194 mg GAE/g), and antioxidant activity (more ferric reducing power [FRAP]: 0.784 µM Fe²⁺/g, and a lower DPPH IC₅₀: 1.645 µg/mL) than that of the bulbs (TPC: 0.148 mg GAE/g; FRAP: 0.285 µM Fe²⁺/g; DPPH IC₅₀: 2.17 µg/mL). Palmitic, linolenic, and γ-linolenic acids predominated in the aerial parts, while cis-linoleic and palmitic acids were dominant in bulbs. Resveratrol, hydroxycinnamic acid, and vanillic acid were the main phenolics in aerial parts, whereas ellagic, hydroxycinnamic, and gallic acids were abundant in bulbs. Both exhibited notable antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities. Overall, O. yesilyurtense represents a promising new source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in pharmaceutical and functional food formulations.