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The Effect of the Application of Thyme Essential Oil on Microbial Load During Meat Drying
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Action Mechanism of Essential Oils or Their Components Against Pathogenic Bacteria: Literature Review
Mohamed A El-Sakhawy1, Abd El Raheim Mohammed Donia2, Tawfiq N Juraybi1
1Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia, psau.edu.sa.
International Journal of Microbiology
|April 23, 2026
Summary
Essential oils (EOs) offer a promising natural approach to combatting bacterial resistance. Their diverse antibacterial mechanisms, including membrane disruption and synergy with antibiotics, present effective strategies against resistant strains.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Microbiology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Essential oils (EOs) are complex natural mixtures from plants.
- Understanding their antibacterial mechanisms is crucial for combating microbial resistance.
- EOs show potential in overcoming antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the chemical structures of essential oil components (EOCs).
- To categorize the antibacterial mechanisms of EOs and EOCs.
- To highlight EOs as a strategy against antibiotic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Thematic synthesis of existing research.
- Presentation of EOC chemical structures.
- Categorization of antibacterial mechanisms.
Main Results:
- EOs exhibit diverse antibacterial mechanisms: membrane disruption, energy production inhibition, protein dysfunction, nucleic acid interference, efflux pump inhibition, and virulence factor interference.
- EOs act synergistically with antibiotics.
- EOs are effective against both antibiotic-sensitive and resistant bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Essential oils provide a promising strategy to overcome bacterial infections.
- Their multifaceted mechanisms and synergy with antibiotics are key to combating resistance.
- Further research into EOs is vital in the era of increasing antibiotic resistance.
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