Antibacterial Mechanisms of Plant Essential Oils and Conditions Influencing Their Variability

Plant extracts, especially essential oils, are known to have antimicrobial properties. When microbes are subjected to essential oils, a broad spectrum of changes pertaining to their cellular components and metabolic processes is seen. This review talks about the various factors influencing the activity of essential oils, including growth and harvesting conditions, extraction conditions, and experimental variables. It also speculates the mechanisms of action employed by the major constituents of essential oils, based on their structures, as well as their observed effects on bacteria. These include cell membrane disruption, leakage of cell components, inhibition of motility, the release of reactive oxygen species, and altered protein ex¬pression, amongst others. Examples of some plant sources have also been taken to solidify our analysis of these topics. Finally, the synergy shown by essential oils with other essential oils and antibiotics has been briefly discussed, highlighting their ability to inhibit the growth of both antibiotic-resistant and susceptible organisms.