IntroductionEssential oils (EOs) have been the subject of extensive investigation due to their diverse biological properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, fungicidal, and anti-inflammatory activities. Synthesized by over 17 500 plant species, EOs are intricate mixtures of terpenes, terpenoids, and phenylpropanoids, among other bioactive compounds. These attributes render EOs as promising candidates for addressing microbial infections, particularly those associated with biofilms, which account for a substantial proportion of nosocomial infections and microbial infections at large.
MethodsA systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed and SciELO databases. Articles were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, emphasizing studies that explored the chemical composition and antimicrobial mechanisms of EOs, the processes of biofilm formation, their structural characteristics, resistance mechanisms, and the application of microencapsulation techniques to enhance EO stability and antimicrobial efficacy.
ResultsA total of 30 articles met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to detailed review. These studies provide a comprehensive analysis of the antimicrobial potential of EOs and demonstrate the significant enhancement of their efficacy through microencapsulation. The compiled data enable the assessment of both the inherent antimicrobial activity of EOs and the mechanisms by which microencapsulation amplifies this activity.
ConclusionsThis review underscores the chemical composition and antimicrobial mechanisms of EOs, as well as the dynamics of biofilm formation and resistance. Furthermore, it highlights the role of microencapsulation as a strategy to preserve and enhance the antimicrobial properties of EOs
