Effect of the Essential Oil of Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling and Limonene on Biofilm Production in Pathogens Causing Bovine Mastitis

Evaluation of oral supplementation of free and nanoencapsulated Minthostachys verticillata essential oil on immunological, biochemical and antioxidants parameters and gut microbiota in weaned piglets

Early weaning is an important stressor that impairs the piglet´s health, and essential oils appear as promising candidates to improve it instead of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation of free and nanoencapsulated Minthostachys verticillata essential oil (EO and NEO, respectively) on immunological, biochemical and antioxidants parameters as well as on gut microbiota in weaned piglets. EO was extracted by hydrodistillation and nanoencapsulation was performed by high-energy method using Tween 80 and Span 60 as surfactants. EO and NEO were chemically analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cytotoxic effects of both EO and NEO was evaluated on Caco-2 cell line. For in vivo assay, male weaned piglets (age: 28 days, mean initial body weight: 11.63 ± 0.37 kg) were randomly distributed in six groups of six animals each (n = 6) and received orally EO (10.0 mg/kg/day) or NEO (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg/day), named hereinafter as EO-10, NEO-2.5, NEO-5 and NEO-10, for 30 consecutive days. Animals not treated or treated with surfactants mixture were evaluated as control and vehicle control. Subsequently, histological, hematological and biochemical parameters, cytokines production, oxidative markers, CD4+/CD8+ T cells and gut microbiota were evaluated. GC-MS analysis was similar in both EO and NEO. The NEO was more toxic on Caco-2 cells than EO. Oral supplementation of EO-10 or NEO-10 improved growth performance compared to control group NEO-2.5 or NEO-5 (p < 0.05) groups. NEO-2.5, NEO-5 and NEO-10 did not alter the morpho-physiology of digestive organs and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver compared to control (p < 0.05) or EO-10 groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). In addition, NEO-10 showed an increase in CD4+/CD8+ T cells ratio (p < 0.001), and induced the highest serum levels of IL-10 (p < 0.01). Serum triglycerides levels were significantly lower in animals treated with EO-10 or NEO-2.5, NEO-5 and NEO-10 compared to control group (p < 0.001). Gut microbiota analysis showed that NEO-10 favor the development of beneficial intestinal microorganisms to improve parameters related to early weaning of piglets. In conclusion, EO and NEO improved parameters altered by early weaning in piglets however, NEO was safer and powerful. Therefore, NEO should be further studied to be applied in swine health.

Antibacterial activity of medicinal plants on the management of mastitis in dairy cows: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Mastitis is a disease of economic importance in dairy production systems. The common management regime for mastitis is the use of synthetic antibiotics, giving a new problem of antibiotic resistance. There is, therefore, a need to prospect for alternatives to conventional antibiotics from herbal plants.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review evaluates the use of plants as alternatives for the control of mastitis in dairy cattle, focussing on the effectiveness of studied plants and plant-based products and possible implications on the use of these products in livestock health.

METHODOLOGY

The PRISMA model was implemented with searches done in five electronic databases: Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Ovid and Research4Life. Data were extracted from 45 studies with 112 plant species from plant species belonging to 42 different families. The specific keywords were 'mastitis', 'dairy cows' and 'medicinal plants'.

RESULTS

The most cited plant species included Allium sativum L., Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus globulus Labill with the latter further exploring its components. Microbial species causing mastitis mainly were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The extraction methods used included maceration approach using ethanol, methanol and water as solvents for phytochemicals and chromatographic techniques for essential oils. A few studies explored the mode of action, and toxicities of the herbal extracts as well as evaluating their efficacy in clinical trials using animal models.

CONCLUSION

Plants with defined levels of phytochemicals were essential sources of antibacterials. Standardisation of analytical methods is required.

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus chromogenes isolated from bovine mastitis

Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus chromogenes are pathogens frequently detected in bovine mastitis. Treatment and prevention of this disease have been usually carried on with antimicrobials. However, the emergence of bacterial isolates with antimicrobial resistance has aroused interest in new therapeutic alternatives. Plant essential oils (EOs) have been largely studied as antibacterial treatments. In the present study, EOs from five plants were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against S. aureus and S. chromogenes. Bacterial isolates were obtained in a previous study of clinical cases of bovine mastitis. EOs from lemongrass, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and thyme were obtained by hydrodistillation and their chemical compositions were evaluated by gas chromatography (GC). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were evaluated for all EOs. The results demonstrated that citral (40.9%), myrcene (24.7%), and geraniol (1.9%) were detected in lemongrass EO; 1,8-cineole (76.9%), α-pinene (8.2%), and ledene (5.1%) in eucalyptus EO; 1,8-cineole (45.2%), camphor (18.2%), and fenchone (14.6%) in lavender EO; L-menthol (38.5%), menthofuran (16.3%), and citronellal (10.6%) in peppermint EO; and thymol (44.2%), p-cymene (24.6%) and 1,8-cineole (9.9%) in thyme EO. More effective antibacterial activities were observed only with the use of lemongrass (MIC and MBC ranging from 0.39 to 3.12 mg/mL and 0.39 to 6.35 mg/mL, respectively) and thyme (MIC and MBC ranging from 0.39 to 1.56 mg/mL and 0.39 to 3.12 mg/mL, respectively). Peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus EOs did not show bactericidal activities. In conclusion, lemongrass and thyme EOs are promising antibacterial alternatives against Staphylococcus species associated with bovine mastitis.

Plant Essential Oils as a Tool in the Control of Bovine Mastitis: An Update

Bovine mastitis is a major concern for the dairy cattle community worldwide. Mastitis, subclinical or clinical, can be caused by contagious or environmental pathogens. Costs related to mastitis include direct and indirect losses, leading to global annual losses of USD 35 billion. The primary treatment of mastitis is represented by antibiotics, even if that results in the presence of residues in milk. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in livestock is contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), resulting in a limited resolution of mastitis treatments, as well as a serious threat for public health. Novel alternatives, like the use of plant essential oils (EOs), are needed to replace antibiotic therapy when facing multidrug-resistant bacteria. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the in vitro and in vivo studies available on EOs and their main components as an antibacterial treatment against a variety of mastitis causing pathogens. There are many in vitro studies, but only several in vivo. Given the promising results of treatments with EOs, further clinical trials are needed.

Alternatives to Antimicrobial Treatment in Bovine Mastitis Therapy: A Review

Despite preventive and therapeutic measures, mastitis continues to be the most prevalent health problem in dairy herds. Considering the risks associated with antibiotic therapy, such as compromised effectiveness due to the emergence of resistant bacteria, food safety issues, and environmental impact, an increasing number of scientific studies have referred to the new therapeutic procedures that could serve as alternatives to conventional therapy. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide insight into the currently available literature data in the investigation of non-antibiotic alternative approaches. In general, a vast number of in vitro and in vivo available data offer the comprehension of novel, effective, and safe agents with the potential to reduce the current use of antibiotics and increase animal productivity and environmental protection. Constant progress in this field could overcome treatment difficulties associated with bovine mastitis and considerable global pressure being applied on reducing antimicrobial therapy in animals.

Environmental Bovine Mastitis Pathogens: Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Sensitivity to Thymus vulgaris L., Thymus serpyllum L., and Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oils

Mastitis is considered to be one of the most important diseases of dairy cows in terms of health, production, and economy. Being the most common cause of antibiotic consumption in dairy cows, treatment of this disease is one of the biggest challenges in the veterinary profession as an increasing number of pathogens develop resistance to antibiotics used in the treatment. Therefore, new alternative approaches for limiting the use of antibiotics in livestock are required. For this reason, our study aimed to investigate prevalence of environmental mastitis associated bacterial strains, as well as the sensitivity of isolated strains to different antibiotics. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of three essential oils (EOs) was tested against bovine Serratia spp. and Proteus spp. mastitis pathogens, based on their chemical composition, as well as antibacterial potential. The study was carried out on 81 milk samples collected from dairy cows with mastitis. In order to determine prevalence of S. marcescens and P. mirabilis, microbiological isolation and identification were performed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method and the microdilution method was used to determine the antibacterial activity of selected EOs. In the oregano EO, a total of 23 compounds were detected, with carvacrol as a dominant component (78.94%). A total of 26 components were present in the EO of common thyme, where thymol was the most abundant compound (46.37%). Thymol also dominated (55.11%) the wild thyme EO. All tested EOs displayed antibacterial activity against all strains to different extents, while wild and common thyme EOs were the most effective. It could be concluded that the tested EOs represent promising therapeutic candidates for effective non-antibiotic treatment of mastitis.

Minthostachys verticillata Griseb (Epling.) (Lamiaceae) essential oil orally administered modulates gastrointestinal immunological and oxidative parameters in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling (Lamiaceae) is a plant used in folk medicine for digestive or respiratory disorders. In addition, it is incorporated as condiment, in foods, as beverage flavoring or mate. The ethnopharmacological interest of M. verticillata resides in its essential oil (EO). Part of group has demonstrated the immunomodulatory ability of EO giving this oil a biological potential not known until that moment and conducted studies to evaluate their possible application in diseases of veterinary interest. However, the immunomodulatory effects of EO administered orally have not been fully characterized.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study evaluated the impact of EO oral administration on gastrointestinal and immune health through measurement of immunological and oxidative parameters in mice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The EO was extracted from the leaves, slender stems and flowers of M. verticillata by hydrodistillation and chemical analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Prior to in vivo study, the cytotoxic effect of EO was determined using the human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cell line. For in vivo study, three groups of male Balb/c mice (n = 3) were orally administered with saline solution (control group) and EO (5 or 10 mg/kg/day) during 10 consecutive days. Subsequently, histological and hematological parameters, cytokines production, oxidative markers and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells were evaluated.

RESULTS

The chemical analysis of EO revealed the presence of a high content of monoterpenes, being the main pulegone (76.12%) and menthone (14.28%). The EO oral administration improved mice growth performance and modulated systemic adaptive immune response by increasing in the total leukocyte number. A high percentage of CD4⁺ T cells were observed whereas the number of CD8⁺ T cells was not altered. EO did not alter the morpho-physiology of intestine and improved total antioxidant capacity by decreasing MDA concentrations. In addition, EO decreased the IL-6 levels and increased in the IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate that M. verticillata EO modulate inflammatory and oxidative parameters constituting a natural alternative which could be applied to improve gastrointestinal and immune functionality in animals.

An overview on mastitis-associated Escherichia coli: Pathogenicity, host immunity and the use of alternative therapies

Escherichia coli is one of the leading causes of bovine mastitis; it can cause sub-clinical, and clinical mastitis characterized by systemic changes, abnormal appearance of milk, and udder inflammation. E. coli pathogenicity in the bovine udder is due to the interaction between its virulence factors and the host factors; it was also linked to the presence of a new pathotype termed mammary pathogenic E. coli (MPEC). However, the presence of this pathotype is commonly debated. Its main virulence factor is the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that is responsible for causing an endotoxic shock, and inducing a strong immune response by binding to the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and stimulating the expression of chemokines (such as IL-8, and RANTES) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6, and IL-1β). This strong immune response could be used to develop alternative and safe approaches to control E. coli causing bovine mastitis by targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines that can damage the host tissue. The need for alternative treatments against E. coli is due to its ability to resist many conventional antibiotics, which is a huge challenge for curing ill animals. Therefore, the aim of this review was to highlight the pathogenicity of E. coli in the mammary gland, discuss the presence of the new putative pathotype, the mammary pathogenic E. coli (MPEC) pathotype, study the host's immune response, and the alternative treatments that are used against mastitis-associated E. coli.

Efficacy and mechanism of carvacrol with octanoic acid against mastitis causing multi-drug-resistant pathogens

In the present investigation, we determined the in vitro antimicrobial activity of eight essential oils (EOs) and three medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) alone and in combination against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 700698, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603, and E. coli FcW5. The interactions between EOs and MCFAs were determined by fractional inhibitory concentration indices. Moreover, mode of action of selected bioactive components was studied by changes in bacterial surface charge, morphology, and membrane integrity assays. Among EOs, carvacrol (CAR), trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC), and thymol (TM) showed strong antimicrobial activity. In combination study, CAR+OA (octanoic acid), CAR+DA (decanoic acid), and TM+OA were observed as the most significant (P≤0.05) which were also confirmed through time-kill plots. Based on these results, CAR+OA were found to be most efficacious in terms of killing time (P≤0.05). Changes in the surface charge, morphology, and membrane integrity upon the combined treatment of CAR+OA were also observed, which ultimately leads to cell death. Results suggest that CAR+OA when used in combination offer a significant (P≤0.05) additive antimicrobial activity against the selected pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, these natural bioactive molecules could be interesting alternatives to conventional therapy for the control of mastitis caused by multi-drug-resistant pathogens in bovine animals to ensure the milk safety.

Phages for Africa: The Potential Benefit and Challenges of Phage Therapy for the Livestock Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa

One of the world’s fastest-growing human populations is in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), accounting for more than 950 million people, which is approximately 13% of the global population. Livestock farming is vital to SSA as a source of food supply, employment, and income. With this population increase, meeting this demand and the choice for a greater income and dietary options come at a cost and lead to the spread of zoonotic diseases to humans. To control these diseases, farmers have opted to rely heavily on antibiotics more often to prevent disease than for treatment. The constant use of antibiotics causes a selective pressure to build resistant bacteria resulting in the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms in the environment. This necessitates the use of alternatives such as bacteriophages in curbing zoonotic pathogens. This review covers the underlying problems of antibiotic use and resistance associated with livestock farming in SSA, bacteriophages as a suitable alternative, what attributes contribute to making bacteriophages potentially valuable for SSA and recent research on bacteriophages in Africa. Furthermore, other topics discussed include the creation of phage biobanks and the challenges facing this kind of advancement, and the regulatory aspects of phage development in SSA with a focus on Kenya.

A Bioengineered Nisin Derivative To Control Streptococcus uberis Biofilms

Antimicrobial peptides are evolving as novel therapeutic options against the increasing problem of multidrug-resistant microorganisms, and nisin is one such avenue. However, some bacteria possess a specific nisin resistance system (NSR), which cleaves the peptide reducing its bactericidal efficacy. NSR-based resistance was identified in strains of Streptococcus uberis, a ubiquitous pathogen that causes mastitis in dairy cattle. Previous studies have demonstrated that a nisin A derivative termed nisin PV, featuring S29P and I30V, exhibits enhanced resistance to proteolytic cleavage by NSR. Our objective was to investigate the ability of this nisin derivative to eradicate and inhibit biofilms of S. uberis DPC 5344 and S. uberis ATCC 700407 (nsr⁺) using crystal violet (biomass), 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) (viability) assays, and confocal microscopy (viability and architecture). When preestablished biofilms were assessed, both peptides reduced biofilm biomass by over 60% compared to that of the untreated controls. However, a 42% higher reduction in viability was observed following treatment with nisin PV compared to that of nisin A. Accordingly, confocal microscopy analysis revealed significantly more dead cells on the biofilm upper surface and a reduced thickness following treatment with nisin PV. When biofilm inhibition was assessed, nisin PV inhibited biofilm formation and decreased viability up to 56% and 85% more than nisin A, respectively. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed a lack of biofilm for S. uberis ATCC 700407 and only dead cells for S. uberis DPC 5344. These results suggest that nisin PV is a promising alternative to effectively reduce the biofilm formation of S. uberis strains carrying NSR. IMPORTANCE One of the four most prevalent species of bovine mastitis-causing pathogens is S. uberis. Its ability to form biofilms confers on the bacteria greater resistance to antibiotics, requiring higher doses to be more effective. In a bid to limit antibiotic resistance development, the need for alternative antimicrobials is paramount. Bacteriocins such as nisin represent one such alternative that could alleviate the impact of mastitis caused by S. uberis. However, many strains of S. uberis have been shown to possess nisin resistance determinants, such as the nisin resistance protein (NSR). In this study, we demonstrate the ability of nisin and a nisin derivative termed PV that is insensitive to NSR to prevent and remove biofilms of NSR-producing S. uberis strains. These findings will add new information to the antimicrobial bacteriocins and control of S. uberis research fields specifically in relation to biofilms and nsr⁺ mastitis-associated strains.

Nanomaterials and Essential Oils as Candidates for Developing Novel Treatment Options for Bovine Mastitis

Nanomaterials have been used for diagnosis and therapy in the human medical field, while their application in veterinary medicine and animal production is still relatively new. Nanotechnology, however, is a rapidly growing field, offering the possibility of manufacturing new materials at the nanoscale level, with the formidable potential to revolutionize the agri-food sector by offering novel treatment options for prevalent and expensive illnesses such as bovine mastitis. Since current treatments are becoming progressively more ineffective in resistant bacteria, the development of innovative products based on both nanotechnology and phytotherapy may directly address a major global problem, antimicrobial resistance, while providing a sustainable animal health solution that supports the production of safe and high-quality food products. This review summarizes the challenges encountered presently in the treatment of bovine mastitis, emphasizing the possibility of using new-generation nanomaterials (e.g., biological synthesized nanoparticles and graphene) and essential oils, as candidates for developing novel treatment options for bovine mastitis.

Biofilm Research in Bovine Mastitis

Bovine mastitis is one of the most important diseases in the dairy industry and has detrimental impact on the economy and welfare of the animals. Further, treatment failure results in increased antibiotic use in the dairy industry, as some of these mastitis cases for unknown reasons are not resolved despite standard antibiotic treatment. Chronic biofilm infections are notoriously known to be difficult to eradicate with antibiotics and biofilm formation could be a possible explanation for mastitis cases that are not resolved by standard treatment. This paper reviews the current literature on biofilm in bovine mastitis research to evaluate the status and methods used in the literature. Focus of the current research has been on isolates from milk samples and investigation of their biofilm forming properties in vitro. However, in vitro observations of biofilm formation are not easily comparable with the in vivo situation inside the udder. Only two papers investigate the location and distribution of bacterial biofilms inside udders of dairy cows with mastitis. Based on the current knowledge, the role of biofilm in bovine mastitis is still unclear and more in vivo investigations are needed to uncover the actual role of biofilm formation in the pathogenesis of bovine mastitis.

Nanoemulsion of Minthostachys verticillata essential oil. In-vitro evaluation of its antibacterial activity

Infectious diseases constitute a problem of great importance for animal and human health, as well as the increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In this context, medicinal plants emerge as an effective alternative to replace the use antibiotics. The essential oil (EO) of Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling (Lamiaceae) has demonstrated a strong antimicrobial activity. However, its instability and hydrophobicity under normal storage conditions are limitations to its use. Nanoemulsion technology is an excellent way to solubilize, microencapsulate, and protect this compound. This study aimed to obtain a nanoemulsion based on M. verticillata EO and evaluate its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The EO was obtained by steam distillation. Identification and quantification of their components were determined by GC-MS revealing that the dominated chemical group was oxygenated monoterpenes. Nanoemulsions (NE) were characterized by measuring pH, transmittance, separation percentage, release profile, and morphology. The effect of NE on the growth of S. aureus and cyto-compatibility was also evaluated. The results showed that NE containing a higher percentage of tween 20 exhibited higher stability with an approximated droplet size of 10 nm. The effect of encapsulation process was evaluated by GC-MS revealing that the volatile components in EO were no affected. After 24 h, 74.24 ± 0.75% of EO was released from NE and the antibacterial activity of EO was enhanced considerably by its encapsulation. The incubation of S. aureus with the NE and pure EO, show a bacterial growth inhibition of 58.87% ± 0.99 and 46.72% ± 3.32 (p < 0.05), respectively. In addition, nanoemulsión did not cause toxicity to porcine and equine red blood cells. The results obtained showed that NE could be a potential vehicle for M. verticillata EO with promissory properties to emerge as a tool for developing advanced therapies to control and combat infections.

Use of plant extracts and essential oils in the control of bovine mastitis

Bovine mastitis is the most important disease affecting dairy herds worldwide, causing direct impacts on farms' profitability and food safety issues. The prevention and treatment of this pathology is especially done through antimicrobials, but the increasing antimicrobial resistance of pathogens to this disease may affect the efficiency of conventional drugs. Besides, antimicrobials residues in milk and the environment are a potential threat to human health. Thereby, the use of plant extracts and essential oils may become promising alternatives for the control of bovine mastitis. Antimicrobial properties present in several plants are well described and plant extracts and essential oils are often considered safe to animals, humans and environment. This review summarizes the current problems encountered in the conventional treatment of mastitis, the possibilities of the use of plant extracts and essential oils as alternative agents for the control of these pathogens and the limitations found in the use of these plant derivatives. Finally, the perspectives to the use of plant extracts and essential oils for the treatment of bovine mastitis are presented.

Efficacy of novel antiseptic product containing essential oil of Lippia origanoides to reduce intramammary infections in cows

Background and Aim:

The use of antimicrobials in the control of mastitis is of concern in public health due to their inefficiency in targeting microorganisms. Studies with medicinal plants have risen as an alternative to the use of conventional products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an experimental disinfectant based on the essential oil (EO) from Lippia origanoides in preventing the development of new intramammary infections (IMI) in Holstein cows.

Materials and Methods:

The conventional protocol of pre- and post-milking was used and the control (Conventional treatment [CNV]) and experimental (Experimental treatment [PEX]) products containing EO at 120 μL/mL were applied by immersion. Individual milk samples were analyzed using sheep blood agar methodologies and biochemical tests. The efficiency of the treatment was defined by the presence or absence of Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus spp.

Results:

There were no clinical and subclinical mastitis cases, no lesions in the mucosal of teats, nor dirt score between groups in this study. Both treatments did not influence the occurrence of IMI.

Conclusion:

The results revealed that PEX acts efficiently against microorganisms compared to the disinfection by the conventional product demonstrating the efficacy of the alternative product on the prevention of new IMIs in dairy cows.

Machine Learning Analyses on Data including Essential Oil Chemical Composition and In Vitro Experimental Antibiofilm Activities against Staphylococcus Species

Biofilm resistance to antimicrobials is a complex phenomenon, driven not only by genetic mutation induced resistance, but also by means of increased microbial cell density that supports horizontal gene transfer across cells. The prevention of biofilm formation and the treatment of existing biofilms is currently a difficult challenge; therefore, the discovery of new multi-targeted or combinatorial therapies is growing. The development of anti-biofilm agents is considered of major interest and represents a key strategy as non-biocidal molecules are highly valuable to avoid the rapid appearance of escape mutants. Among bacteria, staphylococci are predominant causes of biofilm-associated infections. Staphylococci, especially Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an extraordinarily versatile pathogen that can survive in hostile environmental conditions, colonize mucous membranes and skin, and can cause severe, non-purulent, toxin-mediated diseases or invasive pyogenic infections in humans. Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) has also emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen in infections associated with medical devices (such as urinary and intravascular catheters, orthopaedic implants, etc.), causing approximately from 30% to 43% of joint prosthesis infections. The scientific community is continuously looking for new agents endowed of anti-biofilm capabilities to fight S. aureus and S epidermidis infections. Interestingly, several reports indicated in vitro efficacy of non-biocidal essential oils (EOs) as promising treatment to reduce bacterial biofilm production and prevent the inducing of drug resistance. In this report were analyzed 89 EOs with the objective of investigating their ability to modulate bacterial biofilm production of different S. aureus and S. epidermidis strains. Results showed the assayed EOs to modulated the biofilm production with unpredictable results for each strain. In particular, many EOs acted mainly as biofilm inhibitors in the case of S. epidermidis strains, while for S. aureus strains, EOs induced either no effect or stimulate biofilm production. In order to elucidate the obtained experimental results, machine learning (ML) algorithms were applied to the EOs’ chemical compositions and the determined associated anti-biofilm potencies. Statistically robust ML models were developed, and their analysis in term of feature importance and partial dependence plots led to indicating those chemical components mainly responsible for biofilm production, inhibition or stimulation for each studied strain, respectively.