STUDY OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF ESSENTIAL OILS AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS IN THE CONTROL OF MASTITIS IN CATTLE

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) are volatile, oily compounds that can be extracted from plants. Several constituents of EOs have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, making essential oils a promising alternative to conventional treatments, often associated with adverse effects and microbial resistance. Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland caused mainly by bacterial infections, in various ways, harms the entire production system, causing a significant negative impact on milk production. This disease is categorized into clinical and subclinical mastitis, both of which affect the quantity and quality of milk produced. The study of the antibacterial properties of EOs is of growing interest, as alternative drug therapies are welcomed to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains. Thus, this study aimed to study the antimicrobial properties of the EOs of Syzygium aromaticum, Thymus vulgaris and Pogostemon cablin and the possibility of using them in future research in the treatment of bovine mastitis.