Abstract
This review summarizes data on the in vitro antimicrobial effectiveness of volatile agents of plant origin and in vitro methods for evaluating their activity in the vapour phase. As a result of literature
analysis, the antimicrobial efficacy of vapours from 122 different plant species and
19 pure compounds examined in 61 studies using different in vitro tests against a broad spectrum of microorganisms was identified and summarized. In
addition, 11 different techniques found in the literature are described in detail.
An original classification of methods based on the solid and liquid matrix volatilization
principle is proposed because carrier medium/matrix selection is crucial for the volatilization
of any agents tested. This review should be useful for medicinal, pharmaceutical,
food, and agricultural experts working in areas related to the management of infectious
diseases (especially respiratory and skin infections), food preservation (active
packaging), and protection of agriculture products (controlled atmosphere). It
may also stimulate the interest of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and agriculture
industries in the research and development of new antimicrobial agents of natural
origin. Since several original apparatuses previously developed for antimicrobial
susceptibility testing in the vapour phase are described in this review, labware manufacturers
may also be interested in this topic. The review also provides specific guidelines
and recommendations for researchers studying the antimicrobial activity of volatile
agents. The article will therefore appeal to communities of industrial stakeholders,
pharmacists, physicians, food experts, agriculturists, and researchers in related
areas such as pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, microbiology, natural product chemistry,
food preservation and plant protection.
Key words
antibacterial - broth dilution - diffusion - essential oils - plant volatiles - volatilization
