http://naturalingredient.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/Burt_Essential_Oils_A_Review_2004.pdf

Essential oils: their antibacterial properties and potential applications in foods--a review.

The volatile oils of black pepper [Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae)], clove [Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry (Myrtaceae)], geranium [Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit (Geraniaceae)], nutmeg [Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae), oregano [Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Letsw. (Lamiaceae)] and thyme [Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae)] were assessed for antibacterial activity against 25 different genera of bacteria. These included animal and plant pathogens, food poisoning and spoilage bacteria. The volatile oils exhibited considerable inhibitory effects against all the organisms under test while their major components demonstrated various degrees of growth inhibition.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2000.00969.x

Antimicrobial agents from plants: antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay is a recently developed, direct test of “total antioxidant power.” The FRAP assay is robust, sensitive, simple, and speedy and facilitates experimental and clinical studies investigating the relationship among antioxidant status, dietary habits, and risk of disease. Measurement of the total antioxidant power of fresh biological fluids—such as blood plasma—can be measured directly; the antioxidant content of various dietary agents can be measured objectively and reproducibly and their potential for improving the antioxidant status of the body investigated and compared. The FRAP assay is also sensitive and analytically precise enough to be used in assessing the bioavailability of antioxidants in dietary agents to help monitor longitudinal changes in antioxidant status associated with an increased intake of dietary antioxidants and to investigate the effects of disease on antioxidant status.

Ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay: direct measure of total antioxidant activity of biological fluids and modified version for simultaneous measurement of total antioxidant power and ascorbic acid concentration

The antimicrobial activity of plant oils and extracts has been recognized for many years. However, few investigations have compared large numbers of oils and extracts using methods that are directly comparable. In the present study, 52 plant oils and extracts were investigated for activity against Acinetobacter baumanii, Aeromonas veronii biogroup sobria, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype typhimurium, Serratia marcescens and Staphylococcus aureus, using an agar dilution method. Lemongrass, oregano and bay inhibited all organisms at concentrations of ≤ 2.0% (v/v). Six oils did not inhibit any organisms at the highest concentration, which was 2.0% (v/v) oil for apricot kernel, evening primrose, macadamia, pumpkin, sage and sweet almond. Variable activity was recorded for the remaining oils. Twenty of the plant oils and extracts were investigated, using a broth microdilution method, for activity against C. albicans, Staph. aureus and E. coli. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations were 0.03% (v/v) thyme oil against C. albicans and E. coli and 0.008% (v/v) vetiver oil against Staph. aureus. These results support the notion that plant essential oils and extracts may have a role as pharmaceuticals and preservatives.

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plant extracts

Medicinal plants and antimicrobial activity.

The presence, yield and composition of secondary metabolites in plants, viz. the volatile components and those occurring in essential oils, can be affected in a number of ways, from their formation in the plant to their final isolation. Several of the factors of influence have been studied, in particular for commercially important crops, to optimize the cultivation conditions and time of harvest and to obtain higher yields of high-quality essential oils that fit market requirements. In addition to the commercial importance of the variability in yield and composition, the possible changes are also important when the essential oils and volatiles are used as chemotaxonomic tools. Knowledge of the factors that determine the chemical variability and yield for each species are thus very important. These include: (a) physiological variations; (b) environmental conditions; (c) geographic variations; (d) genetic factors and evolution; (e) political/social conditions; and also (f) amount of plant material/space and manual labour needs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Factors affecting secondary metabolite production in plants: volatile components and essential oils

The data given in the literature published during 1976—1986 Table!. concerning antimicrobial activities of essential oils are treated from an experimental point of view and with regard to a possible practical application. Attention is paid to four factors which are important when testing essential oils: the assay technique; the growth medium; the microorganism; the essential oil.

/pdf/antimicrobial-activity-of-essential-oils-a-1976-1986-48mjzpccgi.pdf

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils: a 1976-1986 literature review. Aspects of the test methods.

Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antinociceptive activities of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Poir

The testing of essential oils for antimicrobial activities is reviewed with respect to various possible applications. Consideration is given to the screening for antimicrobially active oils or constituents, for disinfecting or antiseptic properties and for food conserving properties. The role of essential oils in biological interactions and their potential as therapeutic agents are also discussed.

Antimicrobial activities of essential oils. A 1976-1986 literature review on possible applications.

The production of essential oils and flavours by plant cell and tissue cultures is reviewed, including the biotransformation of added precursors Methods which have been employed to increase secondary metabolism are discussed

Johannes J. C. Scheffer

Papers

Factors affecting secondary metabolite production in plants: volatile components and essential oils

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils: a 1976-1986 literature review. Aspects of the test methods.

Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antinociceptive activities of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Poir

Antimicrobial activities of essential oils. A 1976-1986 literature review on possible applications.

Production of essential oils and flavours in plant cell and tissue cultures. A review