Natural antimicrobial volatiles

Ayala-Zavala and others (2005) tested the effects of different natural antimicrobial volatiles (methyl jasmonate, ethanol, and their combination) on the phytochemical... 

It has been observed that treatment with natural antimicrobial volatiles also affected the antioxidant capacity of fruits (Ayala-Zavala and others 2005). ORAC values of control strawberries changed during storage at 7.5°C (Fig. 11.3, III). However, significant increases in antioxidant capacity values were observed in strawberries treated with methyl jasmonate, methyl jasmonate-ethanol, and ethanol. One explanation for this difference could be associated with differences on total phenol content (Ayala-Zavala and others 2005). 

For example, sol-gel immobilised bioactive liquids such as cineol, camphor, menthol, evening primrose and perilla oil used to functionalise textiles afford either skin-friendly textiles with antimicrobial and antiallergic effects due to immobilised natural oils or textiles for therapeutic treatment of the respiratory tract by means of immobilised mixtures of high volatility natural agents such as eucalyptol, camphor and menthol.27... 

Attracting carnivorous natural enemies by using herbivore-induced plant volatiles Mechanisms involved in the production of herbivore-induced plant volatiles Coordination of Direct and Indirect Defense Responses Antimicrobial Chemical Defense Introduction... 

In nature, essential oils having aroma and flavor are isolated from the various parts of the plants [39]. The essential oils for commercial utiUzation can be isolated using various methodologies which include steam distillation, solvent extraction, and expression [39, 44]. As reported previously, most of the plant essential oils exert potent biological efficacy [11, 35, 39, 45 7]. The antimicrobial or other biological activities of essential oils are directly correlated to the presence of their bioactive volatile components [11, 43, 48]. 

Dinda B, Roy Chowdhury D, Mohanta BC (2009) Naturally occurring iridoids, secoiridoids and their bioactivity. An updated review. Part 3. Chem Pharm Bull 57 765-796 Dorman HJD, Deans SG (2000) Antimicrobial agents from plants antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils. J Appl Microbiol 88 308-316... 

Spices and herbs have been used as food additives since ancient times, both as flavoring agents and as natural food preservatives. Essential oils, odorous and volatile products derived from plants, have found a considerable range of applications. They are used mainly as flavors and fragrances in food and perfumery industries. However, due to their antimicrobial activity essentials oils are also important for food and cosmetic preservation and for the control of human, animal and plant diseases that are of microbial origin. 

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