Antimicrobial effect of vapours of terpineol, ( R )‐(–)‐linalool, carvacrol, ( S )‐(–)‐perillaldehyde and 1,8‐cineole on airborne microbes using a room diffuser

In this study the antimicrobial activities of five volatiles, which represent main compounds of several essential oils, were tested. Terpineol, ( R )‐(–)‐linalool, carvacrol, ( S )‐(–)‐perillaldehyde and 1,8‐cineole were evaluated for their influence on airborne microbes when vaporized with a room diffuser. In the present investigation terpineol and ( S )‐(–)‐perillaldehyde showed the highest antimicrobial activities. The average reduction of the germ count was 59.4% and 42.3%, respectively, after 5 h of spreading in a testing room. Carvacrol (average germ reduction 37.5%) and ( R )‐(–)‐linalool (29.7%) showed lower results. For 1,8‐cineole only, no unambiguous antimicrobial effect was detectable. It has to be considered that the amounts of vapour spread during 5 h of testing time were different, depending on the volatility of the scent used. Nevertheless, four of the investigated volatiles showed satisfying antimicrobial action against airborne microbes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.