A Review: Unique Molecule ‘Carvacrol’ and Its Brilliant Future for the Leather Industry

Carvacrol is the predominant monoterpenic phenol (isomeric with thymol) in many essential oils of the family Lamiaceae including Origanum, Thymus, Satureja, Thymbra and Corydothymus species and of the family Verbenaceae – Lippia. Carvacrol is responsible for most of the biological properties of oregano. Türkiye is the biggest exporter of oregano herb and oil in the world markets. Oregano essential oils display antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and antimutagenic activities and such properties could be important for use in leather production. In recent years, due to increasing environmental pressure and the increasing value given to sustainable leather production, the necessity of more sensitive production has emerged. This paper highlights some of these activities and suggests possible usage of carvacrol in the leather industry for sustainable production.