The overuse of synthetic pesticides has a negative impact on the environment and human health, and the emergence of resistance in pathogens is increasing, so less harmful alternatives are in high demand. Aromatic plants synthesise essential oils containing a wide range of secondary metabolites, with monoterpenes accounting for more than 80% of their composition. Their extraction from plant raw materials can be carried out using conventional methods such as distillation or advanced methods that reduce extraction time and increase the quality of the essential oils obtained. Essential oils are suitable candidates for biocontrol of plant pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes and parasitic plants due to their multiple mechanisms of action. However, due to their high hydrophobicity, volatility and reactivity, they rapidly lose their antimicrobial activity, which reduces their practical use. Technologies to overcome these drawbacks include emulsions and encapsulations, and new technologies are being developed that allow the use of nanoparticles to release essential oils in a controlled manner in the presence of certain stimuli, greatly increasing their effectiveness. More research is needed in the future, particularly in the use of essential oil formulations in greenhouses and in the field, to ensure their safety and efficacy.
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