Background. Over the past decades the increased incidence of fungal infections including dermatomycosis, limited number of available drugs, fungi resistance and some side effects have led investigators to search for new antimycotic agents.
The aim of this work is to evaluate fungicidal properties of essential oils on dermatophytes, yeasts and other micromycetes which might cause dermatomycosis.
Material and methods. Causative agents of dermatomycosis were isol ated from pathological material in the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Centre of Laboratory Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santariski0 Clinics. The experiment was performed with Aspergillus tereus A.T.1, A. versicolor A.V.2, A. fumigatus A.F.3, A. flavus A.Fl.4, Candida krusei C.K.1, C. glabrata C.Gl.2, C. guilliermondii C.G.3, Geotrichum candidum G.C.1, Microsporum canis M.C.1, Paecilomyces lilacinus P.L.1, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis Sc.B.1, Trichophyton rubrum Tr.R.1. Essential oils of lemon (Citrus limonium), tea tree (Melaleuca alterni folia), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), fir (Abies sibirica), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), anise (Pimpinella anisum) were tested. Fungicidal avtivity of essensial oils was assessed by disc diffusion method.
Results. There was determined that lemon, tea tree, bergamot, fir, eucafyptus, clove, anise essential oils have fungicidal properties. Essential oils of clove, fir, lemon and tea tree were the most effective against Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis, growth inhibition zones ranged from 29.5 to 85.0 mm. Candida yeasts were most sensitive to clove and lemon essential oils, fungicidal zone diameter were greater than 20.0 mm. Clove essential oil showed strong fungicidal activity toward Paecilomyces lilacinus, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Geotrichum candidum and Aspergillus fungi, growth inhibition zones were greater than 30.0 mm.
Conclusions. These data indicate that all of the tested essential oils have fungicidal properties. Essential oils of clove, eucalyptus, anise and fir exhibit strong fungicidal activity against causative agents of dermatomycosis. Most of the fungi are resistant to lemon and bergamot essential oils. Tested essential oils are most active on Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis.
Keywords: dermatophytes, yeasts, micromycetes, essential oils, fungicidal activity.
