RNA-seq analysis of antibacterial mechanism of <i>Cinnamomum camphora</i> essential oil against <i>Escherichia coli</i>

Abstract

In this study, we showed that the <i>C. Camphora</i> essential oil exerted a strong antibacterial effect. Our results showed that the inhibitory efficiency increased with increasing of the concentration of essential oil. RNA-seq analysis indicated that the essential oil inhibited the growth of <i>E. coli</i> by inhibiting the metabolism, chemotaxis, and adhesion, meanwhile, life activities were maintained by enhancing <i>E. coli</i> resistance reactions. These results are contributed to uncover the antimicrobial mechanisms of essential oils against <i>E. coli</i>, and the <i>C. Camphora</i> essential oil could be applied as an antibacterial agent to replace or ally with antibiotic.