Antibacterial Potential of Essential Oils of Zataria Multiflora and Mentha Piperita, Micro and Nanoformulated Forms

Background and objectives: plantderived essential oils (eos) shave many usages in health and medicine, such as antibacterial agents. the aim of this study was the improvement of antibacterial activities of two eos using nanotechnology.materials and methods: antibacterial activity was investigated on four important human pathogenic bacteria using the 96well plate microdilution method, a quantitative approach. eleven formulations were prepared using each of the eos. eventually, the best nanoformulation with the smallest particle size and polydispersive indices (pdi and span) was selected using each eo for further investigations. moreover, two microemulsions with similar ingredients and the same portion in comparison with two selected nanoemulsions were also prepared. antibacterial activity of each eo was compared with its micro and nanoemulsions.results: the antibacterial efficacy of zataria multiflora eo (zmeo) was significantly better than mentha piperita eo (mpeo). besides, the antibacterial activity of nanoemulsion of zmeo with a particle size of 129 ± 12 nm was significantly better than no and microformulated forms of zmeo. interestingly, the efficiency of mpeo nanoemulsion (160 ± 25 nm) was also significantly better than mpeo and its microformulated form. conclusion: regardless of the intrinsic antibacterial property of two examined eos, by formulating to nanoemulsion, their efficiencies were improved. nanoemulsion of zmeo introduced as an inexpensive, potent and green antibacterial agent.