Which essential oils are effective as biocides

The EU looks at Biocides as a chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism.

Essential oils have long been seen as an alternative to harmful synthetic chemicals for the inclusion in consumer and industrial applications. We look at which essential oils are the most effective for biocidal applications.

There have been a number of different essential oils tested for their Antibacterial and antifungal properties. A 2003 Polish study found that Essential oils of spices and herbs (thyme, organum, mint, cinnamon, salvia and clove) were found to possess the strongest antimicrobial properties among many tested.

Further Tea Tree oil has been found to be one of the most effective available. With applications varying for skincare, footwear, textiles and industrial applications.

Essential oils are often overlooked for product applications for a number of reasons such as oxidisation and denaturing, cost or the ability of essential oils to be functionally deployed such as in the manufacture of rubber gloves. Further their volatility due to evaporation limits their uses in industrial applications such as in aviation, defence and manufacturing services.

Encapsulation of essential oil biocides allows their efficacy to be maximised and enhanced, this functionalises oils for a wider range of uses and increased product performance. Find out how.