Multifaceted applications of thymol/carvacrol-containing polymeric fibrous structures

Abstract

Nowadays there are many attempts for sustainable development due to rapid industrialization. In this context, thymol and carvacrol, which are obtained from many plants, are highly promising components in many industries due to their multifunctionalities. However, their water insolubility, instability, and volatility are significant drawbacks that must be addressed. To overcome these issues, they are commonly incorporated into fibrous structures for applications in the food and human health-related industries. With advances in technology, thymol/carvacrol containing fibrous structures have been generated using various techniques, widening their applications in the related fields. While their anti-bacterial properties have been widely exploited in various applications, this review article covers their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-cancer, anti-microbial (anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-biofilm, and anti-viral), anti-parasitic (insecticidal, anti-malaria, anti-acaricidal (anti-mite and anti-tick), anti-toxoplasmosis, and anti-leishmaniasis) properties, considering all the broadened applications of thymol/carvacrol containing fibrous structures. Ever-increasing food and human health-related incidences will accelerate the uttermost exploitation of all functionalities of thymol and carvacrol in multifaceted ways. Nanoscale containers and fibrous structures will be the pioneers for finding new and more effective applications of thymol and carvacrol. For example, they could find applications not only in packaging for market shelves but also in entire food chain, including plant protection in agriculture (pre-harvest and post-harvest), transportation, and storage of food/crop. Fibrous structures containing thymol/carvacrol will also enable new and diverse applications in hygiene & preventive care, comfort & well-being in addition to wound healing and tissue engineering in the human health. A detailed future perspective is provided related to all these applications.