Search Results (178)

Essential oils are multicomponent natural products with potential neurobehavioral activity, but integrated comparative studies remain limited. This study compared the essential oils of Satureja brevicalyx, Peperomia dolabriformis, and Rosmarinus officinalis in relation to their chemical profiles, predicted target interactions, preliminary acute oral safety, anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects, antagonist-sensitive behavioral patterns, and exploratory serum biomarkers. Oils were characterized by GC-MS, and their constituents were screened by molecular docking against anxiety-, depression-, sleep-, and stress-related targets. Independent cohorts of male BALB/c mice received oral essential oils (25–100 mg/kg) and were assessed in anxiety-related, depression-related, and locomotor behavioral paradigms, including the elevated plus maze, light–dark box, marble burying, tail suspension, forced swim, and open field tests. Flumazenil and WAY-100635 were used to examine whether the behavioral responses were sensitive to γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A)/benzodiazepine- and serotonin 1A (5-HT1A)-related pharmacological modulation, respectively. In a preliminary 24-h acute oral toxicity screen, no mortality was observed up to 5000 mg/kg. The three oils produced anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects without reducing spontaneous locomotor activity. Within its experimental block, S. brevicalyx showed the most consistent flumazenil-sensitive anxiolytic-like pattern and FDR-significant reductions in corticosterone and TNF-α, together with increased IL-4. P. dolabriformis showed a broader predicted multitarget docking profile and antagonist-sensitive behavioral attenuation compatible with mixed pathway participation. R. officinalis produced significant but more moderate behavioral effects. WAY-100635 partially attenuated the antidepressant-like effects of all three oils. These findings support differentiated but convergent functional neurobehavioral profiles among the oils. The docking, antagonist, and biomarker results should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating evidence of possible pathway involvement, supporting further validation in chronic stress models, receptor-specific assays, pharmacokinetic studies, and expanded safety evaluations. Full article

Satureja nepeta essential oil (EO) is gaining prominence for its multifaceted pharmacological and biotechnological potential. This study aimed to characterize its volatile profile and evaluate its functional capacity as an antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative agent. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling was conducted to identify the volatile constituents of the EO. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, TAC, and FRAP assays. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens using disk diffusion and MIC determination. In silico molecular docking against bacterial DNA gyrase B was performed to explore potential mechanisms of action. Antiproliferative activity was assessed on the P3X63Ag8.653 myeloma cell line. Chemical profiling identified nine major constituents, dominated by pulegone (68.63%), menthol (6.64%), and cis-pulegol (2.04%). The EO demonstrated significant free radical-scavenging activity, particularly in the TAC assay (EC₅₀ = 3.747 ± 0.577 µg/mL). Antimicrobial evaluations revealed robust inhibitory effects, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica exhibiting the highest susceptibility. In silico modeling corroborated these findings, identifying menthol as the lead ligand (ΔG = −6.09 kcal/mol), suggesting a synergistic mechanism of action. Notably, the EO displayed potent antiproliferative activity (LC₅₀ = 14.060 ± 1.364 µg/mL), falling well within the high-cytotoxicity threshold. Collectively, these findings underscore the pharmacological significance of S. nepeta EO as a potent reservoir of bioactive monoterpenes with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, meriting further in vivo validation and mechanistic exploration toward its development as a therapeutic or nutraceutical candidate. Full article

Background: The genus Satureja L. (savory) includes approximately 200 aromatic herb and shrub species distributed worldwide. These plants are widely used in traditional and modern medicine, culinary practices, and agriculture. This review summarises knowledge on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Satureja species published between March 2014 and 2025. Methods: Peer-reviewed literature was searched on Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus, and SciFinder using the keywords “Satureja” and “savory.” A total of 171 relevant articles were analyzed, focusing on ethnomedicinal use, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects. Results: Recent ethnobotanical studies documented the use of local medicinal plants, including Satureja, in several European regions. Phytochemical research identified major groups of compounds such as essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic acids, jasmonates, di- and triterpenes, and steroids. Essential oils are the most studied and show high variability among species due to environmental and genetic factors. Pharmacological research largely highlights antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor activities, as well as protective effects against chemotherapy-induced side effects. Additional studies report neurological benefits, including prevention of opioid analgesic tolerance, antiepileptic activity, and memory-enhancing effects. Satureja species have been the subject of various innovative developments aimed at preserving food quality, improving coating materials in the food industry, and developing new environmentally friendly biopesticides. Conclusions: Future research should prioritize the study of individual bioactive compounds, their mechanisms of action, and structure–activity relationships. Advances in nanoformulations and modern extraction technologies offer promising directions to support the medicinal and food-industry applications of Satureja-derived products. Full article

Fava bean (Vicia faba L.) is a nutritionally valuable and sustainable legume with strong potential for plant-based food applications. However, similar to other lipid-containing food systems, fava bean-based spreads are susceptible to lipid oxidation during storage, leading to quality deterioration and reduced shelf life. This study evaluated the effect of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), winter savory (Satureja montana L.), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) essential oils (EOs) (0.1 μL/g) on the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of fava bean-based spreads during 90 days of storage at 4 °C. Four treatments were prepared: control spread without essential oil (B-CO), basil essential oil-enriched spread (B-BA), winter savory essential oil-enriched spread (B-WS), and cumin essential oil-enriched spread (B-CU). Water activity and pH remained stable in all samples throughout storage. Color changes were most pronounced in the control, while B-WS exhibited the highest color stability (ΔE = 1.81 vs. 6.07 in B-CO). Winter savory and cumin significantly reduced peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation and improved oxidative stability (Rancimat: 9.11 and 9.10 h vs. 7.73 h in B-CO), whereas basil showed no protective effect. Cumin was characterized by the highest flavonoid and phenolic acid contents, while winter savory exhibited the highest total polyphenols. Sensory evaluation revealed that EOs significantly influenced consumer acceptance, particularly taste and aroma. Although the control sample achieved the highest overall scores, cumin-containing formulations provided the most favorable balance between oxidative stability and sensory quality, whereas winter savory negatively affected overall acceptability. Taken together, winter savory and cumin EOs effectively enhanced oxidative stability, highlighting their potential as natural antioxidants in the development of plant-based spreads. Full article

Although the effectiveness of plant-derived essential oils (EOs) against several insect pests is well-documented, their high volatility presents a challenge. In this study, the potential to enhance the insecticidal activity of Satureja hortensis L. EO, an accessible natural agent, through nanoemulsification was assessed against the cosmopolitan pest Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797). The nanoemulsion of the EO (NEEO) was prepared using Tween 80 as the emulsifying agent and high-intensity ultrasonication. Oral bioassays indicated that the NEEO was more toxic (LC₅₀ = 0.922%) than the pure EO (LC₅₀ = 1.186%). Sublethal exposure to LC₃₀ of the NEEO caused evident reductions in preadult survival, developmental time, fecundity, and oviposition period, as well as the population growth parameter net reproductive rate (R₀). The exposure to the NEEO increased catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) actions and inhibited α-esterase (α-NE), β-esterase (β-NE), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) actions. Both the NEEO and EO inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, with higher inhibition in the NEEO group. Generally, S. hortensis NEEO enhanced toxicity, intensified physiological perturbations, and caused greater negative impacts on population growth parameters. Consequently, nanoemulsification of S. hortensis EO can be considered an effective method to strengthen the insecticidal potential of this natural agent. Full article

This study investigated the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) and the phenolic profiles of methanol extracts from Satureja boissieri Hausskn. ex Boiss. EO analysis by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) identified carvacrol (45.2%), cymene (26.0%) and γ-terpinene (17.5%) as the primary constituents. Phenolic profiles were quantified via Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS), revealing syringic acid (56,647.96 mg/kg extract), rosmarinic acid (47,777.98 mg/kg extract) and hesperidin (6353.49 mg/kg extract) as major components in the extract. The antioxidant potential was evaluated through three distinct radical scavenging assays (DPPH, ABTS and DMPD) and the determination of ferric (Fe³⁺) and cupric (Cu²⁺) reducing capacities. Notably, S. boissieri exhibited potent antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 11.74 µg/mL for DPPH and 9.90 µg/mL for ABTS radical scavenging, demonstrating performance comparable to standard antioxidants such as α-tocopherol (11.31 and 8.37 µg/mL, respectively). Furthermore, the in vitro inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes were evaluated. While both extracts exhibited similar and significant AChE inhibition (35.3% and 32.4%, respectively), the essential oil was notably more potent against BChE than the methanol extract. These findings suggest that S. boissieri is a significant source of bioactive compounds with promising antioxidant and neuroprotective potential for pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Thyme (Thymus callieri Borbás ex Velen) and summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) are aromatic plants from the Lamiaceae family widely used in traditional medicine and the food industry. This study provides a comparative analysis of the phytochemical profiles and biological potential of the essential oils (EOs) of these two plant species from Bulgaria. The chemical composition was determined using GC-MS analysis. Biological evaluation included determination of antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), antimicrobial activity (MIC assay), ex vivo anti-inflammatory effects (IL-1β expression in rat stomach smooth muscle preparations), and in vitro antihemolytic activity. GC-MS analysis identified 16 compounds in T. callieri EO, dominated by p-cymene (46.42%) and thymol (35.80%). In contrast, 17 compounds were identified in S. hortensis EO, with carvacrol (58.81%) and γ-terpinene (22.46%) as major constituents. Both EOs exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with S. hortensis showing higher radical scavenging potential. In antimicrobial tests, both oils demonstrated broad-spectrum efficacy with MIC values ranging from 0.313 to 2.5 mg/mL. Ex vivo experiments revealed that T. callieri EO significantly increased IL-1β expression, suggesting immune activation, while S. hortensis EO showed a lower effect, indicating higher anti-inflammatory potential. Furthermore, S. hortensis EO demonstrated superior erythrocyte membrane stabilization (antihemolytic activity) compared to T. callieri EO and the reference anti-inflammatory drug Aspirin. In conclusion, the findings highlighted the distinct biological potential of both Bulgarian EOs, suggesting their diverse applicability as natural bioactive agents in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Full article

Phenolic-rich extracts from Satureja montana were evaluated before and after diazomethane treatment to determine how chemical derivatization influences their antioxidant capacity. Native and modified extracts were compared experimentally by measuring total phenolic content, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and Fe²⁺-chelating ability. EN1 exhibited the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, reaching 1278.54 mmol/g, whereas EM2 retained only 1.99 mmol/g. In the FRAP assay, reducing power followed the order EN1 (9.36) > EN2 (3.72) > EM2 (2.08), with EM2 still exceeding caffeic, chlorogenic, and ferulic acids. In contrast, the modified extracts showed superior metal chelating capacity, with EM1 and EM2 displaying IC₅₀ values of 0.70 and 0.82 mg/mL, respectively, both markedly lower than those of the native extracts and the pure standards. To rationalize these differences, a DFT study was performed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level, examining 18 proposed phenolic acids and their methylated derivatives associated with the extracts. All methylation reactions were thermodynamically favorable, particularly for compounds 18 (−57.10 kcal/mol), 16 (−53.96), 6 (−53.34), and 3, 9, and 11 (−52.71). Solvent effects were found to be structure-dependent: caffeic acid showed BDE values of 72.29, 73.59, and 74.43 kcal/mol in the gas phase, water, and benzene, respectively, whereas syringic acid displayed values of 80.44, 77.09, and 80.65 kcal/mol under the same conditions. Likewise, the ionization potential of caffeic acid decreased from 180.09 kcal/mol in the gas phase to 133.26 kcal/mol in water and 154.22 kcal/mol in benzene. Among all analyzed species, methyl 3,4-dihydroxycinnamate exhibited the lowest BDE (71.60 kcal/mol) as well as the most favorable ΔG°r toward HOO• (−11.06 kcal/mol). Full article

Background: Novel therapeutic compounds with strong efficacy and low resistance potential are urgently needed to combat life-threatening infections caused by antibiotic-resistant ESKAPEE pathogens. These pathogens contribute globally to a large share of bloodstream, respiratory, urinary, and wound infections, and often have levels of high antimicrobial resistance. This review examined the antimicrobial efficacy of different plant essential oils (EOs) against Gram-negative ESKAPEE pathogens and their cytotoxic effects and calculated selectivity indices in cancer and normal cell lines. Methods: This review was developed using studies retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications between 2013 and 2024 using the search terms: “essential oils”, “plant extracts”, “safety”, “cytotoxicity”, “cell lines”, “human”, “in-vitro”, antimicrobial”, “antibacterial” and “antibiotic” with Boolean operators (“AND”, “OR”, “NOT”). Only studies that reported both antimicrobial inhibitory concentrations and concentrations causing toxicity to mammalian cells were included in the final review. These data were then used to calculate the selectivity indices of the EOs (toxic concentration/antimicrobial inhibitory concentration) to give an initial assessment of safety. Results: Ocimum basilicum EOs had strong antibacterial effects against the Gram-negative ESKAPEE pathogens Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 1 μg/mL and high selectivity indices of >80.4. Likewise, Satureja nabateorum EOs had potent antibacterial activity, with a low MIC of 0.1 μg/mL against K. pneumoniae, 2.3 μg/mL against E. coli, and 12.5 μg/mL against P. aeruginosa, along with a very high selectivity index (>100). Other EOs such as those from Eucalyptus spp., Thymus spp., Mentha spp., Cinnamomum spp., Artemisia spp., and Aquilaria crassna also had broad-spectrum antibacterial potential and minimal toxicity toward mammalian cells, making them promising candidates for safe and effective antimicrobial agents in clinical and industrial applications. However, several EOs had selectivity indices of <10, indicating that at their MIC they would also be potentially highly cytotoxic. EOs tended to show increased toxicity to cells derived from cancers. Conclusions and recommendations: Certain EOs are highly active against Gram-negative ESKAPEE pathogens. They are also toxic to cancer-derived mammalian cells. Additional studies using normal cell lines and clinical trials are warranted to further validate their safety and therapeutic potential. Full article

Non-starch polysaccharides, the primary structural component of dietary fiber, play critical roles in metabolic and digestive health through multiple physiological mechanisms, yet their composition in Mediterranean aromatic plants remains poorly characterized, limiting the development of novel functional food ingredients. This study provides the first comprehensive NSP profiling of 22 populations across three Tunisian Satureja species (S. nervosa, S. graeca, and endemic S. barceloi), using enzymatic analysis, gas chromatography, and multivariate statistics. Total non-starch polysaccharides reached exceptional levels (21.5 ± 3.0 g/100 g dry weight (DW)), with several populations exhibiting unprecedented soluble fiber proportions exceeding 50%, including population SG4 achieving 79.7%. Monosaccharide analysis revealed uronic acid dominance (42.9–52.5% of total NSP), indicating pectin-rich cell walls with distinct functional properties. Principal component analysis (explaining 61.5–84.9% of variance) demonstrated that populations cluster by fiber chemotype rather than taxonomic classification. Hierarchical and K-means clustering identified three distinct clusters in the soluble and total fiber fractions, with uronic acid-dominated populations (SG4, SB, SG18, SN8) and arabinose–xylose enriched populations (SN13, SN12, SN22, SG21) as extreme chemotypes. Intraspecific variation (coefficient of variation, CV: 14.0–50.0%) substantially exceeded interspecific differences. These findings establish Tunisian Satureja as an exceptional functional fiber source and demonstrate that population-level chemical screening outperforms taxonomic classification for developing nutraceuticals targeting cholesterol reduction, glycemic control, and gut microbiome modulation. Full article

Although herbs can contain several secondary metabolites potentially harmful to insects, dried herbs, like all stored foods, can be damaged by various insect pests. These pests have the potential to diminish both the quantity and the quality of food, and the consequences of infestation often only become noticeable once the pest has already become established. This study investigates the ability of two Lepidoptera pests, one polyphagous, Plodia interpunctella, and one selective, Idaea inquinata, to complete the postembryonic development on eleven dried herbs commonly used in cooking: dill (Anethum graveolens L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium (L.) Hoffm.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.), chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), savory (Satureja hortensis L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). The results show that tarragon, sage, savory, oregano and thyme did not allow growth of either species, suggesting the presence of chemical compounds that limit larval growth or survival. In addition, the time required for both species to complete development was longer than that obtained on a standard diet, suggesting that the nutritional requirements and water content of the herbs are not as optimal as those of the standard diet. To conclude, I. inquinata could develop on basil, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, and parsley, while P. interpunctella could develop only on chervil, chives, coriander, and dill. Full article

Thymus, Satureja, and Monarda are three plant genera, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, that are particularly valued for their essential oils (EOs) abundant in phenolic terpenoids. In this study, a botanical characterization of the following eight Eastern European cultivars (some of them newly bred) grown in Ukraine is distinguished: Thymus vulgaris (‘Yalos’, ‘101’), Thymus richardii (‘Fantasia’), Satureja montana (‘Krymsky smaragd’, ‘Lunata’, ‘4-18’), Monarda fistulosa (‘Premiera’), and Monarda × hybrida hort., which is a Monarda didyma × Monarda fistulosa hybrid (‘Tonya’). The EO of those cultivars was obtained and characterized in detail using GC-MS and GC-FID. Additionally, some biological activities of these oils were tested. Antimicrobial activity was verified against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans using disk diffusion and microdilution methods. Furthermore, some preliminary tests were performed on the motility of bull sperm using the CASA system. All the Thymus cultivars were very rich in thymol (57.99–67.62%), and all the S. montana cultivars were very abundant in carvacrol (62.22–75.53%). M. fistulosa cv. ‘Premiera’ contained mainly thymol (49.87%), and M. × hybrida cv. ‘Tonya’ contained both thymol (46.70%) and carvacrol (10.37%). All the tested EOs, as well as thymol and carvacrol, exhibited strong antibacterial and antifungal action with minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from <0.25–0.5 mg/mL for Satureja, through <0.25–0.5 mg/mL for Monarda, to 0.5–4 mg/mL for Thymus. The EOs, at a concentration of 0.4 µL/mL, exhibited cytotoxicity towards bull spermatozoa when compared to the control sample. Full article

Background/Objectives: Burn wound infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus remain a major clinical challenge, leading to delayed healing and high mortality. Natural compounds derived from the Lamiaceae family possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may modulate wound recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the dual modulatory effects of Satureja montana and Origanum vulgare hydrolate-loaded hydrogels on modulation of infection and skin recovery in an experimental rabbit model of S. aureus-infected burns. Methods: Full-thickness (grade IIIa) thermal burns were induced in 25 male New Zealand White rabbits, followed by inoculation with S. aureus (10⁸–10⁹ CFU/mL). Animals were divided into five groups: sham control, burn-infection control, standard-of-care intervention, Satureja montana hydrolate intervention, and Origanum vulgare hydrolate intervention. Treatments were applied twice daily for 14 days. Bacterial load (CFU/g), biochemical markers, histological parameters, and multiplex immunohistochemical indices (Ki-67, CD68, CD163) were analyzed. Results: Both hydrolate-based formulations exhibited pronounced antibacterial effects, significantly reducing S. aureus counts by day 14 compared to untreated burns (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed enhanced cell proliferation and a rapid shift from pro-inflammatory M1 (CD68+) to reparative M2 (CD163+) macrophages, indicating effective immune resolution. The hydrolate-loaded hydrogels effectively combined antimicrobial activity with tissue-regenerative and immunomodulatory effects. The S. montana formulation demonstrated superior performance, representing a promising adjunctive therapy for infected burn wounds. Conclusions: This study represents the first comparative in vivo evaluation of S. montana and O. vulgare hydrolate-loaded hydrogels in a complex S. aureus-infected burn model. Full article

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and widely used as a culinary spice. The present research aimed to investigate the physicochemical characteristics, phenolic profile, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial activity of ten summer savory samples (dried leaves and flowers) grown in different regions of Bulgaria. The physicochemical analyses of the dried plant material demonstrated that the ash content varied from 19.51 to 26.92%, proteins from 16.25 to 22.78%, and carbohydrates from 5.37 to 10.01%. The values of the total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 1.10 to 4.83 mg GAE/g dw (aqueous savory extracts—ASE) and from 3.98 to 9.54 mg GAE/g dw (methanolic savory extracts—MSE). The values of the total flavonoid content (TFC) were from 0.08 to 0.29 mg QE/g dw (ASE) and from 0.73 to 1.23 mg QE/g dw (MSE). The investigated samples exhibited significant antioxidant activity, with values determined by the DPPH method varying between 35.01 and 59.93 mM TE/g dw (ASE) and between 51.75 and 91.85 mM TE/g dw (MSE). The values by the FRAP method ranged from 74.49 to 134.85 µmol Fe²⁺/g dw (ASE) and from 108.20 to 215.48 µmol Fe²⁺/g dw (MSE). The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that rosmarinic acid was predominant in all tested samples (3.54–5.90 mg/g dw), whereas ferulic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids were detected in trace amounts. The HPLC analysis of organic acids revealed that ascorbic acid was present in higher concentration in all samples (0.35–0.98 mg/g dw) compared to malic acid, which was found in trace amounts. The antimicrobial activity test demonstrated that methanolic savory extracts showed moderate to high inhibitory activity against most of the microorganisms used (most pronounced against Staphylococcus aureus 6538P, with diameters of the inhibition zones from 20 to 30 mm), while aqueous savory extracts exhibited antifungal rather than antibacterial activity. Based on the results obtained, we can conclude that savory is a plant with potential for use in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors, in addition to its culinary applications. Full article

Certain essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants have shown potent antifungal effects. In this work, an in vitro study was conducted to examine the antifungal effect of EOs obtained from Greek flora aromatic plants that belong to the Lamiaceae family on two phytopathogenic fungi. Specifically, Satureja horvatii ssp. macrophylla, Coridothymus capitatus, and Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum were tested against Alternaria sp., which causes tomato black spot, and Fusarium sp., which causes potato tuber dry rot during storage. The antifungal activity of the EOs was assessed using fumigant assays, and their chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). After 8 days of incubation at 26 ± 1 °C, the EOs of O. vulgare ssp. hirtum and C. capitatus completely inhibited mycelial growth at 2 µL plate⁻¹ in the case of Fusarium sp. and at 3 µL plate⁻¹ in the case of Alternaria sp. S. horvatii ssp. macrophylla completely inhibited the mycelial growth of Fusarium sp. at 3 µL plate⁻¹ and that of Alternaria sp. at 4 µL plate⁻¹. All the essential oils used in the experiments were rich in carvacrol (41.4–70.0%), while thymol levels ranged from 0% to 18.9%. This fumigant effect could be further evaluated for the fruits’ postharvest protection from phytopathogenic fungi during storage. Full article