Antimicrobial effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde, (-)-perillaldehyde, (-)-citronellal, citral, eugenol and carvacrol on airborne microbes using an airwasher

Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Nov;29(11):2292-4. doi: 10.1248/bpb.29.2292.

Abstract

Citral, trans-cinnamaldehyde, (-)-perillaldehyde, (-)-citronellal, eugenol and carvacrol were tested for their influence on microbial count in air by vaporizing with an air washer. The highest antibacterial activity was observed when (-)-perillaldehyde was sprayed. The average reduce of germ count was 53%. On the other hand, the antimicrobial activity of eugenol was the lowest of these six compounds. The average reduction of germ count was 13%. When water without volatile compounds was sprayed, the colony forming units increased. These results suggest the utility of selected aroma-compounds for the control of bacteria in the room.

MeSH terms

  • Acrolein / analogs & derivatives*
  • Acrolein / chemistry
  • Acrolein / pharmacology
  • Acyclic Monoterpenes
  • Air Microbiology*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / prevention & control
  • Aldehydes / chemistry
  • Aldehydes / pharmacology
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Cymenes
  • Eugenol / chemistry
  • Eugenol / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / instrumentation
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods
  • Monoterpenes / chemistry
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Acyclic Monoterpenes
  • Aldehydes
  • Cymenes
  • Monoterpenes
  • Eugenol
  • perillaldehyde
  • Acrolein
  • carvacrol
  • citronellal
  • cinnamaldehyde
  • citral