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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Pseudomonas Aeruginosa | Research

Flowering phenophases influence the antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil

Authors: Csongor Bakó, Viktória Lilla Balázs, Erika Kerekes, Béla Kocsis, Dávid U. Nagy, Péter Szabó, Giuseppe Micalizzi, Luigi Mondello, Judit Krisch, Dóra Pethő, Györgyi Horváth

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Essential oils are becoming increasingly popular in medicinal applications because of their antimicrobial effect. Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) is a well-known and widely cultivated medicinal plant, which is used as a remedy for cold, cough and gastrointestinal symptoms. Essential oil content of thyme is responsible for its antimicrobial activity, however, it has been reported that the chemical composition of essential oils influences its biological activity. In order to explore flowering phenophases influence on the chemical composition of thyme essential oil and its antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity, plant materials were collected at the beginning of flowering, in full bloom and at the end of flowering periods in 2019.

Methods

Essential oils from fresh and dried plant materials were distilled and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The antibacterial activity was performed by broth microdilution and thin layer chromatography-direct bioautography (TLC-DB) assays and the anti-biofilm effect by crystal violet assay, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to illustrate the cellular changes of bacterial cells after essential oil treatment.

Results

Thymol (52.33–62.46%) was the main component in the thyme essential oils. Thyme oil distilled from fresh plant material and collected at the beginning of flowering period exerted the highest antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusion

The different flowering periods of Thymus vulgaris influence the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of its essential oils, therefore, the collection time has to be taken into consideration and not only the full bloom, but the beginning of flowering period may provide biological active thyme essential oil.
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Metadata
Title
Flowering phenophases influence the antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil
Authors
Csongor Bakó
Viktória Lilla Balázs
Erika Kerekes
Béla Kocsis
Dávid U. Nagy
Péter Szabó
Giuseppe Micalizzi
Luigi Mondello
Judit Krisch
Dóra Pethő
Györgyi Horváth
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-03966-1

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