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Measuring Volatile and Non-volatile Antifungal Activity of Biocontrol Products
Published on: December 5, 2020
Vapour phase: a potential future use for essential oils as antimicrobials?
1The Leicester School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Hawthorn Building, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. k.laird@dmu.ac.uk
Letters in Applied Microbiology
|December 3, 2011
Summary
Essential oil (EO) vapors demonstrate significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Research explores their dispersal and efficacy for applications in food and clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Essential oils (EOs) have historical recognition for antimicrobial properties dating back to ancient times.
- Scientific exploration into volatile oils' potential intensified in the early 1960s.
- Recent studies highlight the antimicrobial effects of specific EOs like tea tree, bergamot, lavender, and eucalyptus in vapor form.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the antimicrobial potential of essential oil vapors.
- To discuss methods for dispersal and efficacy testing of essential oil vapors.
- To identify current and potential applications of essential oil vapors as antimicrobials.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on essential oil vapor antimicrobial activity.
- Analysis of research on dispersal and efficacy testing methods.
- Survey of identified applications in food and clinical settings.
Main Results:
- Essential oil vapors exhibit antimicrobial effects against a range of bacteria and fungi.
- Various methods for dispersing essential oil vapors and testing their efficacy have been developed.
- Applications are emerging in both the food industry and clinical environments.
Conclusions:
- Essential oil vapors represent a viable natural antimicrobial agent.
- Further research into optimized dispersal and efficacy testing is warranted.
- Broad applicability in food preservation and clinical hygiene is recognized.
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