Abstract:
The global spread of antimicrobial resistance has encouraged scientific
investigation into the potential of natural products as alternative therapies. Essential
oils derived from medicinal plants, particularly members of the Lauraceae family, have
demonstrated significant antibacterial potential. This study aimed to analyze and
compare the antibacterial properties of essential oils from Cinnamomum verum, Laurus
nobilis, and Persea americana against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative
bacterial strains. Microscopic and histochemical methods were used to analyze plant
morphology and locate essential oil reservoirs. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed to determine chemical profiles. The oils were tested against Staphylococcus
aureus and Escherichia coli using the agar disk diffusion method according to
EUCAST and CLSI standards. Results showed that C. verum essential oil demonstrated
the most pronounced antibacterial effect, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria.
These findings support the use of Lauraceae essential oils as natural antibacterial agents
in pharmaceutical and hygienic formulations.
