Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Plant Essential Oils Against Pathogenic Microorganisms

Dear Colleagues,

Plant essential oils (EOs) are attracting increasing scientific interest as promising sources of new antimicrobial agents, particularly amid rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the limited effectiveness of traditional antibiotics. Composed of complex mixtures of terpenes, phenolics, aldehydes, and other bioactive volatile molecules, essential oils possess broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities, as well as the ability to modulate virulence factors of pathogenic microorganisms. One of the most crucial properties of EOs is their capacity to disrupt microbial cell membranes, interfere with most sensing pathways, and inhibit biofilm formation; these mechanisms collectively reduce the survival, adhesion, and persistence of microbial organisms on biotic and abiotic surfaces. Since biofilms increase the tolerance of pathogens to antibiotics and environmental stress factors, the investigation of EO-based antibiofilm strategies has become a critical area of research in food safety, medicine, agriculture, and environmental health.

Numerous studies over the past few years have shown that essential oils derived from aromatic and medicinal plants exhibit significant inhibitory activity against clinically important pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida species, and various multidrug-resistant strains. Advances in chromatographic profiling, in vitro experiments, and in silico modeling have facilitated the identification of key antimicrobial components responsible for these activities, such as thymol, carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, linalool, and α-pinene. In addition to their direct antimicrobial potential, essential oils also exhibit synergistic interactions with antibiotics, offering valuable opportunities to improve therapeutic outcomes and reduce the required drug doses.

Despite this growing evidence, many aspects of the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of essential oils remain understudied. Differences in chemical composition, driven by factors such as plant genetics, environmental conditions, extraction methods, and storage conditions, can significantly affect biological activity. Furthermore, standardized methodologies for evaluating antibiofilm activity remain limited, making it difficult to compare data across studies. This Special Issue aims to bring together recent developments, innovative methods, and interdisciplinary perspectives on the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of plant essential oils. We welcome research articles, reviews, and short communications that deepen understanding of the mechanisms, applications, and future potential of essential oils in combating pathogenic microorganisms and that support the development of natural, sustainable antimicrobial strategies.

Dr. Gokhan Zengin
Prof. Dr. Omayma A. Eldahshan
Guest Editors

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