Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils Vapors Against Fungi Isolated from Car Air- Conditioner Filters

Abstract

Background/A car air conditioner AC filter is a suitable place for microbial growth. Fungal structures or/ andtheir by-products are pollutants of car air space. They are transmitted via air current forward passengers. Mostisolates were reported as allergens and mycotoxins producers. Chemical and less nonchemical treatmentswere followed to solve this problem. The current study aims to isolate and identify fungi associated withCAC filters and discuss the relationship between the fungal community with car age and the types of seatcoats. Also, we inspected the antifungal activity of the vapor and liquid phases of five essential oils invitro. Methods/ A cross-section study was followed, a swap samples were collected during one week. Theywere cultured on Sabouroad’s dextrose agar and Typha pollens agar. Plates were incubated at (25oC ±2).The highest occurrence% were Penicillium sp. > Alternaria sp. > Aspergillus (3sp.), while Acremoniumsp.,Rhizopus sp., Rodotorula sp. and Stachybotrys sp., showed low O% as well as yellow yeast and sterilemycelia. The crude oils of Hacinathus sp., Cymbopogon citratus, Myrtus communis, Eucalyptus sp.,and Cyperus rotundus were extracted and examined. ANOVA test showed that C.citratus oil vapor phasesignificantly affects the dominant isolate. Conclusion/ Car AC filter is a source of fungal structures withhealth impact. Liquid and vapor phases of EOs are probably practical alternatives to control fungal ACcontamination