ABSTRACT
Quorum sensing (QS) describes the ability of bacteria and other organisms to sense the quantity of individuals in their surrounding by means of signal molecules. As soon as a certain concentration is attained, the population can react with different responses, such as production of exotoxins or biofilms. This way of communication is of pharmaceutical interest, as, for example, biofilm-production complicates the treatment of infections and therefore increases their pathogenicity. Consequently, inhibition of QS is a possible new target of antibiotics. Essential oils represent a group of natural QS inhibitors. This treatise gives an overview of QS systems in different organisms and discusses research results, as well as the methods used to identify the inhibitory potential of essential oils.
