Óleos essenciais: estudo de extração e atividade antimicrobiana

Abstract

Since the discovery of pathogenic microorganisms, studies have been conducted to find new ways to combat microorganisms and one way is through essential oils. Essential oils are used in the food, agriculture, hygiene, cosmetics, perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. They have medicinal properties and are currently being studied a lot because they act against pathogens. The objective of this work was to perform a bibliographic study on essential oils presenting their obtaining, separation of compounds and microbiological activity of plants. Then it was described about essential oils, the most used extraction methods, the separation techniques of compounds, by means of chromatographies, and about antimicrobial and antifungal activities in oils. Different types of oils can be used for antimicrobial and antifungal activities, but each type of oil has different actions against pathogens. The extraction methods influence the final product, and consequently the antimicrobial action, and may or may not inhibit.