Antimicrobial activity of nanoformulations of carvacrol and thymol: New trend and applications

Thymol and carvacrol are aromatic compounds derived from plants that exhibit considerable broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects. They have also shown extensive biological effects, including antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic. Carvacrol and thymol also have pleasant smells, tastes, and potent antioxidant effects. Therefore, biological effects, along with their favorable toxicity, make thymol and carvacrol an option as an additive to inhibit microbial spoilage of foods and potent antimicrobial agents against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, volatility, low stability, and high hydrophobicity are some of the limitations of carvacrol and thymol, which limit their application. To increase the efficacy of thymol and carvacrol, especially antimicrobial properties, using a drug delivery system might be a practical option. Encapsulation of the essential oils into appropriated nanocarriers may decrease their potential limitations. Carvacrol and thymol-encapsulated nanomaterials have been shown to have more solubility and increased antibacterial effects. Here, we provide a brief review of the antimicrobial effects of carvacrol and thymol nanoformulation to give a prospect on their applications for future studies as natural antimicrobial agents and food additives.