Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity of Terpenes for Improvement of Indoor Air Quality

AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe summarized the studies on the usage of terpenes and some essential oils on mold and bacterial concentrations in air samples. There was strong action of the terpenes product to decrease total microbial load. The investigation of antifungal activity in indoor environments validates the translation of laboratory-based outcomes showing a statistically significant reduction of bacterial and fungal concentration in the tested sites.Recent FindingsTerpenes have recently generated interest for their in vitro antimicrobial efficacy, but have not been widely evaluated in situ. There have been limited studies that scale-up laboratory experiments and assess the efficiency of antimicrobial agents within building environments. Our findings provide a basis to reduce microbial load, including drug-resistant fungi, by washing the indoor air with a terpenes solution. This strategy could diminish health adverse effects, such as allergy or pulmonary infection, produced by inhalation of etiologic agents.SummaryTerpenes have an effect on the indoor microbial load and may be used to reduce fungal and bacterial contaminants in workplaces, hospitals and houses.
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research