Analysis of the effects of essential oils on airborne bacteria in a customized bio-clean room

Yang,Hyun; Koo,Tae-Hyoung; Hong,Chang-Young; Choi,In-Gyu; Jeung,Eui-Bae

doi:10.3892/mmr.2012.972

Analysis of the effects of essential oils on airborne bacteria in a customized bio-clean room

Authors:
- Hyun Yang
- Tae-Hyoung Koo
- Chang-Young Hong
- In-Gyu Choi
- Eui-Bae Jeung
View Affiliations

Affiliations: Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea, Department of Wood Chemistry, Department of Forest Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea
Published online on: June 28, 2012 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2012.972
Pages: 651-656

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )

Metrics: Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )

Cited By (CrossRef): 0 citations Loading Articles...

Abstract

Essential oils have a sedative effect on stress, and are also known to have antibiotic and anti-carcinogenic effects. These compounds have long been used as natural microbial agents, and have recently been added to a number of pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic products. Controlling the exposure to allergens and pathogens are important factors for the treatment of allergy, and potentially reducing the risk of sensitization and infection. Low humidity, at levels under 35%, may affect human comfort and health during the winter. Patients and other individuals require optimal humidification to maintain a moisturized respiratory tract necessary for protecting against bacterial infection. We designed an analytical system to examine the effects of aromatherapeutic essential oils on airborne bacteria. The antibacterial activities of essential oils were assayed using agar plate air-sampling methods. A bacterial suspension was sprayed into a bio-clean room through the upper holes using a spray gun. Free-floating airborne bacteria were collected from the bio-clean room (blank) in blood agar plates for 10 sec using an air sampler. Three different concentrations of essential oils (0.0005, 0.005 and 0.05 ppm) were then sprayed into the bio-clean room for 5 min. Free-floating airborne bacteria were collected every 10 min for 10 sec each. Treatment with 0.0005 ppm essential oils inhibited the growth of colonies; this effect appeared to persist after 60 min. Decreased bacterial colony growth was more apparent in the presence of 0.005 ppm and 0.05 ppm essential oils than 0.0005 ppm. These effects were observed after 60 min compared to the control (distilled water). These results indicate that essential oils are able to inhibit the growth of airborne bacteria.

View Figures

View References

1	Harkenthal M, Reichling J, Geiss HK and Saller R: Comparative study on the in vitro antibacterial activity of Australian tea tree oil, cajuput oil, niaouli oil, manuka oil, kanuka oil, and eucalyptus oil. Pharmazie. 54:460–463. 1999.PubMed/NCBI
2	Carson CF, Cookson BD, Farrelly HD and Riley TV: Susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia. J Antimicrob Chemother. 35:421–424. 1995.PubMed/NCBI
3	Aziz NH, Farag SE, Mousa LA and Abo-Zaid MA: Comparative antibacterial and antifungal effects of some phenolic compounds. Microbios. 93:43–54. 1998.PubMed/NCBI
4	Basaga H, Poli G, Tekkaya C and Aras I: Free radical scavenging and antioxidative properties of ‘silibin’ complexes on microsomal lipid peroxidation. Cell Biochem Funct. 15:27–33. 1997.
5	Jaime L, Mendiola JA, Herrero M, et al: Separation and characterization of antioxidants from Spirulina platensis microalga combining pressurized liquid extraction, TLC, and HPLC-DAD. J Sep Sci. 28:2111–2119. 2005.PubMed/NCBI
6	Jones RC, Hughes CR, Wright D and Baumer JH: Early house moves, indoor air, heating methods and asthma. Respir Med. 93:919–922. 1999. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
7	Vincent D, Annesi I, Festy B and Lambrozo J: Ventilation system, indoor air quality, and health outcomes in Parisian modern office workers. Environ Res. 75:100–112. 1997. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
8	O'Connor GT: Allergen avoidance in asthma: what do we do now? J Allergy Clin Immunol. 116:26–30. 2005. View Article : Google Scholar
9	Vaughan JW, Woodfolk JA and Platts-Mills TA: Assessment of vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaner bags recommended for allergic subjects. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 104:1079–1083. 1999. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
10	Gore RB, Durrell B, Bishop S, Curbishley L, Woodcock A and Custovic A: High-efficiency particulate arrest-filter vacuum cleaners increase personal cat allergen exposure in homes with cats. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 111:784–787. 2003. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
11	Haysom IW and Sharp K: The survival and recovery of bacteria in vacuum cleaner dust. J R Soc Promot Health. 123:39–45. 2003. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
12	Shishido H, Nagai H and Kawakami K: MRSA respiratory tract infection. Nihon Rinsho. 50:1075–1080. 1992.PubMed/NCBI
13	Odagiri S: Respiratory tract infections caused by MRSA. Nihon Naika Gakkai Zasshi. 81:1620–1628. 1992.PubMed/NCBI
14	Hogt AH, Dankert J and Feijen J: Adhesion of coagulase-negative staphylococci to methacrylate polymers and copolymers. J Biomed Mater Res. 20:533–545. 1986. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
15	Hong EJ, Na KJ, Choi IG, Choi KC and Jeung EB: Antibacterial and antifungal effects of essential oils from coniferous trees. Biol Pharm Bull. 27:863–866. 2004. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
16	Park MJ, Gwak KS, Yang I, et al: Antifungal activities of the essential oils in Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. Et Perry and Leptospermum petersonii Bailey and their constituents against various dermatophytes J Microbiol. 45:460–465. 2007.PubMed/NCBI
17	Joo SS, Yoo YM, Ko SH, et al: Effects of essential oil from Chamaecypris obtusa on the development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions and the suppression of Th cytokines. J Dermatol Sci. 60:122–125
18	Singh G, Kapoor IP, Pandey SK, Singh UK and Singh RK: Studies on essential oils: part 10; antibacterial activity of volatile oils of some spices. Phytother Res. 16:680–682. 2002. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
19	Prabuseenivasan S, Jayakumar M and Ignacimuthu S: In vitro antibacterial activity of some plant essential oils. BMC Complement Altern Med. 6:392006. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
20	Hongratanaworakit T: Aroma-therapeutic effects of massage blended essential oils on humans. Nat Prod Commun. 6:1199–1204
21	Ng QY, Lee KW, Byrne C, Ho TF and Lim CL: Plasma endotoxin and immune responses during a 21-km road race under a warm and humid environment. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 37:307–314. 2008.PubMed/NCBI
22	Ogawa Y, Kuwana M, Yamazaki K, et al: Dry eye associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 506:1041–1045. 2002. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
23	No authors listed. Indoor air quality. Schriftenr Ver Wasser Boden Lufthyg. 53:1–439. 1982.
24	Buckland FE and Tyrrell DA: Loss of infectivity on drying various viruses. Nature. 195:1063–1064. 1962. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
25	Moe K and Shirley JA: The effects of relative humidity and temperature on the survival of human rotavirus in faeces. Arch Virol. 72:179–186. 1982. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
26	Couch RB: Viruses and indoor air pollution. Bull NY Acad Med. 57:907–921. 1981.PubMed/NCBI
27	Arundel AV, Sterling EM, Biggin JH and Sterling TD: Indirect health effects of relative humidity in indoor environments. Environ Health Perspect. 65:351–361. 1986.PubMed/NCBI