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Lemongrass and Perilla Essential Oils Synergistically Increased Antimicrobial Activity
Sanae A Ishijima1, Kunio Ezawa1, Shigeru Abe1
1Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology.
Medical Mycology Journal
|December 2, 2021
Summary
Disinfecting shoes with essential oil vapors, specifically citral and perillaldehyde, effectively combats fungal and bacterial growth. This combination offers a safe and practical method to reduce tinea pedis infections.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Antimicrobial Research
- Dermatology
Background:
- Tinea pedis is a common fungal infection, often spread through contaminated footwear.
- Disinfection of shoes is crucial for preventing recurrence and transmission.
- Essential oils show potential as safe antimicrobial agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of volatile components from essential oils for shoe disinfection.
- To identify optimal conditions for antimicrobial activity against Trichophyton species.
- To assess synergistic effects of citral and perillaldehyde.
Main Methods:
- Investigated antimicrobial activity of lemongrass oil and citral vapors.
- Tested combinations of citral with various aldehydes (perillallhyde, citronellal, etc.).
- Utilized aromatogram (disc diffusion) and closed box methods to assess synergistic effects against fungi and bacteria.
Main Results:
- Perillaldehyde demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity when combined with citral.
- Citral and perillaldehyde vapors showed synergistic inhibition of Candida albicans, Bacillus subtilis, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
- Optimal synergistic effects were observed at specific concentrations in closed systems.
Conclusions:
- The combination of citral and perillaldehyde vapors presents a safe and effective strategy for shoe disinfection.
- This approach has the potential to reduce the incidence of tinea pedis.
- Further application in footwear disinfection is recommended.
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