The Antifungal Properties of Super-Hydrophobic Nanoparticles and Essential Oils on Different Material Surfaces

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the in vitro antifungal activities of super-hydrophobic nanoparticles (SHNPs), essential oils (EOs), and their mixtures (SHNPs/EOs). We have applied a thin layer of SHNPs in combination with various concentrations of three EOs: Arborvitae (Thuja plicata), Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). The mixtures were spread on the surface of different materials: whitewood, sandstone, and paper. The antifungal and protective properties of these SHNP and EO mixtures were evaluated. The parameter Rr (ratio of reflectivity) was determined to identify the color changes of substrates. Digital microscopy was used to measure the colonization area of molds and also their penetration in the analyzed materials. Surprisingly, the use of SHNPs alone showed a balanced compromise in order to inhibit the mold growth on assayed surfaces.

Protection and Disinfection Activities of Oregano and Thyme Essential Oils Encapsulated in Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanocapsules

“…This method consists in measuring first the reflectivity of a clean substrate (without a coating of EOs-NCs) and subsequently its reflectivity after the deposition of EOs-NCs. To determine the spectral reflectivity changes after the protective layer application, we used the reflectivity ratio parameter R r in the visible spectral region (400–700 nm), according to the equation [ 12 ]: R r = R (coating) /R (substrate) where R (coating) is the reflectivity after the application of the NCs and EOs-NCs layer on the substrate, and R (substrate) is the reflectivity of the clean substrate.…”

“…Essential oils (EOs) are natural green candidates for the protection and disinfection of many materials, including stone and whitewood, without using aggressive and toxic substances [ 12 , 13 ]. EOs are composed of complex mixtures of substances with antimicrobial activity.…”

Essential Oils for the Conservation of Paper Items

“…Such an arsenal of versatile substances represents a treasure trove for those research fields and industries geared towards the design of non-synthetic innovative products. In this context, EO experimentation also finds a place in the preservation of cultural heritage, with the majority of the investigations focusing on paper, stone and wood [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

The antifungal activity of vapour phase of odourless thymol derivate

“…The antifungal activity of kubicin was assessed using different fungal strains (Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aureobasidium pullulans, Exophiala sp.) isolated from museum environments and materials (Kraková et al, 2012;Kraková et al, 2018;Benkovičová et al, 2019). These fungal strains were cultivated at 25 • C on Malt Extract Agar (MEA).…”