Bio-derived antimicrobial additives are gaining significant attention for functional polymer materials, including antimicrobial

coatings, packaging films, and surface-engineered composites. In such macromolecular systems, the extraction 

chemistry is a critical factor as it governs the molecular functionality, polarity balance, and subsequent compatibility 

with polymer matrices. This study demonstrates a solvent-controlled Soxhlet extraction strategy using mixed hexane–

ethanol systems (4:6, 6:4, and 7:3 ratios) to tailor the chemical characteristics of Ziziphus mauritiana essential oils for 

materials-oriented applications. A hexane–ethanol ratio of 6:4 produced a markedly enhanced oil yield of 39.8%, attributed

to optimized solvent–matrix interactions enabling the simultaneous recovery of nonpolar lipid components and polar 

oxygenated compounds. FT-IR analysis revealed a balanced distribution of functional groups, indicating strong potential 

for intermolecular interactions relevant to polymer compatibility and dispersion stability. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

(GC‑MS) analysis identified the presence of major plant-derived constituents such as phytol, squalene, fatty acid 

ethyl esters, and minor oxygenated terpenoids. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy provided 

mechanistic insights into mass transport, revealing solvent-dependent disruption of the plant matrix that facilitates the 

release of active species. The optimized bio-additive exhibited superior antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive 

and Gram-negative bacteria, alongside concentration-dependent antifungal performance. These findings highlight the role 

of solvent engineering as a robust materials design strategy for tailoring bio-derived additives, supporting their integration 

into sustainable and high-performance antimicrobial polymer systems.