Terpenes: A Source of Novel Antimicrobials, Applications and Recent Advances

The increasing incidences of microbial resistance to classical antibiotics and their rapid progression have continuously become a serious concern for the scientific community. To overcome this problem, various studies are being conducted by the researchers to find promising solutions. Phytochemicals extracted from natural resources have exerted potential antimicrobial against resistant and sensitive microorganisms through different mechanisms of action. Terpenes or isoprenoids are one of the most varied family of natural components present in nature. They are found in nearly all forms of life and perform various functions including participation in the primary structure of cells (steroids and cholesterol in cell membranes) to the cell functions (carotenoids and quinones in photosynthesis and electron transport, respectively). They are also found extensively in the leaves, stem, flowers, fruits, buds and wood. Terpenes are the main natural components of herbal resins and are accountable for the common aroma of several plants. Many studies documented in literature have shown that terpenes and derivatives of terpenes serve as an imperative defense system against pathogens and herbivores. In this chapter, the antimicrobial potential of terpenes of plant origin and the experimental evidences of antimicrobial properties against various pathogens have been summarized.