SEM and TEM images of E. coli treated with 1.5
×
MIC stems oil
for 4 h are shown in Fig. 2, from which the severe morphological
changes could be observed. It was obvious in the SEM photographs
that the control cells of E. coli were rod shaped, regular and intact
with a smooth surface. In contrast, after treated with stems oil,
the cells underwent severe damaging and became deformed, pitted
and shriveled. And the sizes of EO-treated cells were almost the
same with untreated E. coli. Furthermore, the treated cells became
adhesive to each other and lysis of membrane was visible.