Antifungal activity of selected essential oils and biocide benzalkonium chloride against the fungi isolated from cultural heritage objects

• Published in: South African journal of botany 2014-07, Vol.93, p.118-124
• Main Authors: Stupar, M., Grbić, M. Lj, Džamić, A., Unković, N., Ristić, M., Jelikić, A., Vukojević, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antifungal activity; Aspergillus niger; Aspergillus ochraceus; Biocide; Biodeterioration; Bipolaris spicifera; Cultural heritage; Epicoccum nigrum; Essential oil; Lamiaceae; Lavandula; Origanum vulgare; Penicillium; Rosmarinus officinalis; Trichoderma viride
• ISSN: 0254-6299; 1727-9321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2014.03.016

The antifungal activity of Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis and Lavandula angustifolia (Lamiaceae) essential oils and biocide benzalkonium chloride was investigated against fungi isolated from stone (Bipolaris spicifera and Epicoccum nigrum) and wooden substrata (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Penicillium sp. and Trichoderma viride) of cultural heritage objects. Carvacrol (64.06%) was the main component of O. vulgare essential oil, while linalool (37.61%) and linalool acetate (34.86%) dominated in L. angustifolia essential oil. The main component of R. officinalis essential oil was 1.8-cineole (44.28%). To determine fungistatic and fungicidal concentrations (MIC and MFC) micro-, macrodilution and microatmosphere methods were used. Mycelial growth and spore germination of fungal isolates were inhibited with different concentrations of antifungal agents. The oil of O. vulgare and biocide benzalkonium chloride displayed the strongest antifungal activities followed by R. officinalis and L. angustifolia essential oils. MIC and MFC values obtained in microatmosphere and microdilution method for O. vulgare essential oil ranged from 0.1 to 2.0μLmL−1, while for R. officinalis and L. angustifolia ranged from 10.0 to 100.0μLmL−1. The most susceptible fungus to essential oil treatments was E. nigrum. MIC and MFC values for benzalkonium chloride ranged from 0.1 to 4.0μLmL−1. Tested isolates, A. niger and A. ochraceus, were the most susceptible for biocide treatment. •Essential oils can be novel biocides applicable in cultural heritage conservation.•Origanum vulgare essential oil displayed the strongest antifungal activity.•Rosmarinus officinalis and Lavandula angustifolia oils showed moderate activity.•Antifungal efficacy of the biocide benzalkonium chloride has been confirmed.