Introduction: Biofilms pose an important public health issues as they are responsible for a significant number of bacterial infections. Their presence represents a problem in healthcare, pharmacy, and industry. In healthcare, biofilms are one of the main causes of cross-contamination and resistance of bacterial strains. Namely, bacterial cells within the biofilm are as much as 10 to 1000 times more resistant to antimicrobials and disinfectants than planktonic ones. Aim: The aim of the master's thesis was to assess the biofilm preventive potential of natural extracts and hydrolats of thyme, mint, and sage against selected bacteria on surface. Methods: In the first part of the study, we analysed the antibacterial potential of selected natural extracts and hydrolats by the method of determining the minimum inhibitory concentration. Based on the results, we selected three bacterial strains and three extracts or hydrolats for further study. In the second part of the research, we measured the potential of selected extracts or hydrolats to prevent the formation of biofilms by measuring the optical density. Results: The results of the first part of the study showed that mint extract and hydrolat and thyme hydrolat did not inhibit the growth of selected bacterial strains. Thus, in the second part of the study, we used sage extract and hydrolat and thyme extract. Sage extract has proven to be the most effective. The most susceptible bacterium to the test substances used was P. aeruginosa. During the study, we detected differences in plant efficacy between extracts and hydrolats, differences with respect to the concentration, and differences with respect to the bacterial strain. Discussion and conclusion: Sage extract and hydrolat and thyme extract have great potential against biofilms, so this area needs to be further explored, as the use of green strategies could reduce the emergence of new antibiotic-resistant strains, reduce environmental impact and human health and economic damage.
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