Potential use of Tunisian Pituranthos chloranthus essential oils as a natural disinfectant.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To highlight the bactericidal and fungicidal activities of Tunisian Pituranthos chloranthus essential oils and to study their potential use as powerful and natural disinfectant. METHODS AND RESULTS: The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation of the aerial part of P. chloranthus. The bactericidal and fungicidal properties of essential oils were investigated by using the NCCLS broth dilution method and the EN 1275 and EN 1276 European standard methods. High bactericidal and fungicidal effects of 1.87-3.75 and 7.5 mg l(-1) were obtained, respectively. Essential oils concentrations of 0.5% and 1% (w/v) allowed reductions in viability higher than 5 and 4 log units per ml for standard bacteria and fungi, respectively, within a contact time of 5 min under dirty conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the traditional uses of P. chloranthus as a natural disinfectant and insecticide. It could be used to manage life-threatening pathogens as well as food preservative. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This natural disinfectant could play a vital role in alleviating the spread of pathogenic micro-organisms and environmental problems associated with the indiscriminate use of synthetic chemicals.