Compounds are described which are derivatives of essential oils, functionalized in order to improve their antibacterial, antiprotozoal and antiviral activity, reduce their volatility and modify their solubility in certain solvents, particularly water. Additionally, also the palatability has been significantly improved with respect to the starting essential oils. These compounds are designed 5 to be used as food ingredients in food products for nutritional purposes and extra-nutritional (as prebiotics) purposes, in both human and animal feed industries, even if these compounds can be successfully used also in cosmetics, detergents and for the control of the microbial load in general.