Antimicrobial Activity and Other Biological Properties of Oregano Essential Oil and Carvacrol

Abstract

Oregano species, especially members of Origanum genus, have drawn attentions owing to their various biological activities for the last decades besides their traditional uses as flavoring herb in many cuisines throughout ages in human history. These activities are mainly dependent on type and content of the extract as well as oregano species. Essential oils extracted from oreganos are well-known bioactive agents characterized by a broad spectrum of activities ranged from antimicrobial to insecticidal. Phytochemical studies revealed that oregano essential oil is composed of mainly these bioactive compounds: terpenoids, phenolic acids, triterpene acids, hydroquinones, flavonoids, hydrocarbons, sterols, pigments, fatty acids, tocopherols, and inorganic compounds, which are responsible for the bioactivities. The monoterpene carvacrol constitutes around 50% of the oregano essential oil. In this context, present chapter was conducted to review oregano essential oil and its major active component carvacrol.

Keywords

• Oregano essential oil
• Carvacrol
• Antimicrobial activity

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