<i>Mentha piperita</i> Essential Oil in Olive Oil: Extending Erythrocyte Viability and Limiting Bacterial Growth Under Serum-Free Conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Serum-free culture of red blood cells (RBCs) typically leads to rapid loss of viability, limiting experimental and translational applications. Lipid-rich formulations and essential oils may provide biocompatible support for RBC integrity while limiting microbial overgrowth.

Methods

RBCs from nine healthy adult donors were cultured in serum-free RPMI under four conditions: control, vehicle (olive oil, 1:100 v/v), genuine adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-oil^® (1:100 v/v), and laboratory oil, "mimicking" ATP-oil^®. Cultures were maintained for 18 days. Viability was assessed by light microscopy and trypan blue exclusion; bacterial contamination was qualitatively observed on day 18.

Results

Genuine ATP-oil^®

SUBMITTER: Novakovic T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12899880 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature