Antifungal investigations on plant essential oils. A review

Abstract

Plant essential oils are potential source of antimicrobials of natural origin. Essential oils and extracts obtained from many plants have recently gained a great popularity and scientific interest. Consumer demand for natural preservatives has increased, whereas the safety aspect of chemical additives has been questioned. The plant oil has been reported to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic and antidermatophytic properties. It is now considered as a valuable source of natural products for development of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial products. The present review is a compilation of updated information on plant essential oils with antifungal properties.