Assessment of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Chitosan‐Stabilized Nanoparticles and Nanoemulsions Containing Essential Oils: A Data Mining and Meta‐Analytical Investigation

Abstract

AbstractAmidst the ongoing evolution of microorganisms and subsequent public health crises, it is imperative to explore innovative approaches to reduce their pathogenicity. Recent epidemics such as the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and monkeypox have further emphasized the urgent need to address this global challenge. Thanks to scientific advancements, various alternatives to allopathic medicines have gained prominence. Essential oils (E.O.s), known for their broad bioactivities derived from their rich composition of terpenes and phenylpropanoids, hold potential in neutralizing pathogen proliferation. Using data mining and machine learning techniques, this study initially aims to address the following questions through data collection from the Scopus database using seven keyword combinations: “Can essential oils be effective in combating pandemics?” and “How are nanotechnology and oils being employed?” Finally, “Are chitosan‐stabilized nanoparticles and nanoemulsions of these oils antimicrobial agents?” Bibliographic data is extracted in RIS format to answer these questions and subsequently analyzed using bibliometric networks with VOSviewer software. These findings underscore that predominant research focuses on the production of chitosan‐stabilized nanoparticles of E.O.s as potential tools against various pathogens. The meta‐analysis reveals a diamond range of 2.03–2.08, demonstrating that despite the observed heterogeneity, the study results generally lean toward the weighted average. This indicates the promise of chitosan‐stabilized nanoparticles and nanoemulsions based on E.O.s as antimicrobial agents. By highlighting the antimicrobial potential of E.O.s, particularly when incorporated into chitosan‐stabilized nanoparticles and nanoemulsions, this study elucidates a promising path for a more resilient future against pathogenic threats.