Bioactive Compounds and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oil Byproducts
Summary
Essential oil distillation generates significant volumes of aqueous and solid byproducts rich in trace volatiles and secondary metabolites. These byproducts, commonly known as hydrosols or hydrolates and solid residues, harbour an array of bioactive compounds including monoterpenes, phenolic acids, flavonoids and oxygenated terpenoids. Many of these constituents exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, rendering byproducts an underexploited resource in food preservation, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Advances in analytical techniques such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry have enabled precise profiling of volatile and non-volatile fractions, facilitating standardisation and quality control. Recent investigations have revealed that hydrosols can inhibit bacterial pathogens, impede biofilm formation and reduce fungal load, while solid residues are a valuable source of phenolic compounds with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Integration of these byproducts into circular bioeconomy models offers sustainable avenues for product development, waste valorisation and reduction of reliance on synthetic antimicrobials. Translational efforts are focusing on formulation design, dosage optimisation and sensory impact, underscoring the global relevance of essential oil byproduct valorisation for public health and industrial innovation.
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Bioactive Compounds and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oil Byproducts publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive compounds and antimicrobial properties of essential oil byproducts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Hydrosol (hydrolate): The aqueous distillate by-product of essential oil extraction, containing water-soluble volatiles and trace organic compounds.
Essential oil: A concentrated mixture of volatile lipophilic compounds, primarily terpenes and terpenoids, obtained from plant material by steam or hydro-distillation.
Phenolic compounds: A class of secondary metabolites characterised by one or more hydroxyl groups attached to aromatic rings, noted for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that prevents visible growth of a microorganism under defined conditions.
Biofilm: A structured community of microbial cells embedded within a self-produced polymeric matrix adherent to surfaces, often more resistant to antimicrobials.
References
- Unlocking the Potential of Hydrosols: Transforming Essential Oil Byproducts into Valuable Resources. Molecules (2024).
- Disclosing the potential of Cupressus leylandii A.B. Jacks & Dallim, Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Aloysia citrodora Paláu, and Melissa officinalis L. hydrosols as eco-friendly antimicrobial agents. Natural Products and Bioprospecting (2024).
- Thymbra capitata L. hydrolate as a washing solution for controlling Listeria monocytogenes and spoilage microorganisms on rocket salad. Food Control (2024).
- Antilisterial Effectiveness of Origanum vulgare var. hirtum and Coridothymus capitatus Essential Oils and Hydrolates Alone and in Combination. Foods (2024).
- LC-MS Identification and Quantification of Phenolic Compounds in Solid Residues from the Essential Oil Industry. Antioxidants (2021).
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