title: Analysis of the effects of essential oils on airborne bacteria in a             customized bio-clean room.
abstract: Essential oils have a sedative effect on stress, and are also known to have             antibiotic and anti-carcinogenic effects. These compounds have long been used             as natural microbial agents, and have recently been added to a number of pharmaceutical,             food and cosmetic products. Controlling the exposure to allergens and pathogens             are important factors for the treatment of allergy, and potentially reducing the             risk of sensitization and infection. Low humidity, at levels under 35%, may affect             human comfort and health during the winter. Patients and other individuals require             optimal humidification to maintain a moisturized respiratory tract necessary for             protecting against bacterial infection. We designed an analytical system to examine             the effects of aromatherapeutic essential oils on airborne bacteria. The antibacterial             activities of essential oils were assayed using agar plate air-sampling methods.             A bacterial suspension was sprayed into a bio-clean room through the upper holes             using a spray gun. Free-floating airborne bacteria were collected from the bio-clean             room (blank) in blood agar plates for 10 sec using an air sampler. Three different             concentrations of essential oils (0.0005, 0.005 and 0.05 ppm) were then sprayed             into the bio-clean room for 5 min. Free-floating airborne bacteria were collected             every 10 min for 10 sec each. Treatment with 0.0005 ppm essential oils inhibited             the growth of colonies; this effect appeared to persist after 60 min. Decreased             bacterial colony growth was more apparent in the presence of 0.005 ppm and 0.05 ppm             essential oils than 0.0005 ppm. These effects were observed after 60 min compared             to the control (distilled water). These results indicate that essential oils are             able to inhibit the growth of airborne bacteria.
authors: Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,                     College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju,                     Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyun
authors: H
authors: Yang
authors: Tae-Hyoung
authors: TH
authors: Koo
authors: Chang-Young
authors: CY
authors: Hong
authors: In-Gyu
authors: IG
authors: Choi
authors: Eui-Bae
authors: EB
authors: Jeung
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile