Influence of Temperature and Storage Period on Antidermatophytic Potential of Cymbopogon martinii Essential Oil

Variations in the antidermatophytic activity of Cymbopogon martinii was determined in different temperature and storage periods. The essential oil of C. martinii was obtained by hydrodistillation methods and stored in airtight amber bottles in three different temperature conditions. Longevity testing will be performed after each fourth month of storage against selected fungi for up to two years. MIC was determined by semi-solid agar antifungal testing methods. In the case of Candida albicans MIC of oil increased at room temperature during second (0.4 mu l/ml) and fifth testing (0.5 mu l/ml) while at 30oC temperature it remains constant up to fifth testing and again increased at sixth testing (0.4 mu l/ml). Similar results were also observed against Microsporum fulvum where MIC of oil at room temperature and 30oC temperature increased at fifth testing (0.3 mu l/ml). In the case of M. canis MIC was found to be increased at fifth (0.4 mu l/ml) and sixth testing (0.5 mu l/ml) at 30oC temperature conditions. Trichophyton rubrum was found to be the most resistant fungus. MIC of C. martinii essential oil stored at room temperature was found to be increased against T. mentagrophytes at fifth testing only. Comparative analysis of antifungal activities exhibited very slight increases in MIC during storage. Therefore C. martinii was found to be stable oil and can be used for a long period of storage. The present study concluded that the best condition to preserve the initial composition of C. martinii essential oil is to keep it at low temperature in a fridge or a freezer.