Evaluation of the antimicrobial performance of menthol and menthol-based deep eutectic solvents as potential future antibiotic

Abstract

Triggered by the strong antimicrobial activities of menthol and various fatty acids, eutectic mixtures based on the components are developed, producing new solvents that have possibilities to become a new antibiotic. This study aims to provide an insight into the antimicrobial activities of the new deep eutectic solvents (DESs) developed. Menthol-based DES combined with fatty acids, namely propionic acid, butanoic acid, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, and levulinic acid, were successfully obtained and their thermal profile was analyzed. The antimicrobial potential of DES systems was evaluated against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Owing to the activities of the start-up components, the results are considered promising, and this illustrates the potential of the newly obtained DESs as a new antimicrobial agent in various fields such as food, cosmetics as well as pharmaceutical.

Liquid–Liquid Equilibria for Pseudo-Ternary Systems of 1-Hydroxypropan-2-one + Water + Cyclic Terpene-Based Mixtures at 298.15 K

“…Recently, type V DESs have been introduced as alternatives to water-immiscible hazardous organic solvents . In particular, research has been conducted on menthol-based type V DESs as liquid–liquid extraction solvents, and 17 DESs including thymol, − decanoic acid, ,− and menthol, ,− have been suggested as promising candidates for replacing toxic organic solvents currently used for preparing pharmaceutical drugs . Another study reported that combining DES with nontoxic levulinic acid , could produce a reliable extraction solvent that can replace volatile organic extraction solvents.…”

Therapeutic hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents of menthol and fatty acid for enhancing anti-inflammation effects of curcuminoids and curcumin on RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells

“… 11 DESs containing menthol and short chain fatty acids, including propionic acid, butanoic acid, hexanoic acid, and levulinic acid, also exhibit antimicrobial activities. 12 Deep eutectic mixtures of drugs have also been shown to improve pharmacological action. For example, the deep eutectic mixture of limonene and ibuprofen (IBU) inhibited HT29 proliferation and increased the anti-inflammatory action of IBU, both of which are essential in anti-cancer therapy.…”