Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Concurrent Quantification of Cellular and Extracellular Components of Biofilms
Published on: December 10, 2013
In Vitro Methods for Assessing the Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Properties of Essential Oils as Potential Root Canal
Jihad Diouchi1, Jelena Marinković2, Milica Nemoda2
1Health Sciences Research Center, International Faculty of Dental Medicine, College of Health Sciences, International University of Rabat, Technopolis Parc, Rocade of Rabat-Salé, Sala-Al Jadida 11100, Morocco.
Background:
Essential oils have gained in significance due to their various biological activities, and there is a growing demand for them in many industries. The present article focuses on the technical steps for an in vitro evaluation of the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of essential oils for potential use as root canal irrigant in dentistry.
Methods:
The bioactivities of the essential oil were investigated through in vitro assays. The gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus faecalis was used as a micro-organism model. The antibacterial activity of the essential oil was assessed using the microdilution method, and resazurin staining to determine the minimal inhibition concentrations (MICs) and the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The antibiofilm effect was evaluated spectrophotometrically at 570 nm using the microplate cultivation technique and crystal violet staining.
Conclusions:
This article features a detailed in vitro protocol to facilitate the preparation of the essential oil samples, the bacterial suspension, and the methods used for assessment of the antibiofilm and antibacterial activities of the essential oil. The advantages of these approaches are presented in relation to the limits linked to the choice of the bacteria and the essential oil.
