Antibiofilm activity and mechanisms of Amomum tsao-ko and Clove essential oils against (PRJCA050085)
Staphylococcus aureus biofilms cause severe infections and foodborne diseases, yet antibiotic resistance limits treatment options. This study investigated the antibiofilm effects of essential oils from Amomum tsao-ko (AEO) and clove (CEO). Chemical profiling revealed eucalyptol and geraniol as major components of AEO, and eugenol and caryophyllene in CEO. Both oils effectively inhibited and disrupted S. aureus biofilms, as confirmed by CLSM and SEM. Transcriptomic analysis at sub-inhibitory concentrations (1/8 MIC) showed that AEO and CEO altered distinct molecular pathways but commonly affected amino acid biosynthesis and metal ion uptake. qPCR validation supported these findings. Together, these results elucidate the transcriptional responses of S. aureus to essential oils, providing insights into their non-antibiotic antibiofilm mechanisms.