Afin d'etudier l'activite antibacterienne et antifongique des huiles essentielles de Cymbopogon citratus L., C. nardus L. et C. schoenanthus L. dans le but de leur utilisation eventuelle dans des preparations topiques contre les mycoses superficielles, des tests d'activites antifongiques, in vitro, ont ete realises sur des souches pathogenes appartenant a des especes sevissant frequemment, particulierement en zones tropicales. Les tests ont ete etendus a des bacteries saprophytes representatives de la microflore cutanee de l'homme ou d'animaux. On peut, ainsi, essayer de mieux cerner l'action des huiles essentielles envisagees sur l'equilibre microbien a la surface d'un organe donne. Des analyses chromatographiques (CPG-SM) ont permis de determiner les chimiotypes des echantillons concernes. Dans certains cas, les composes majeurs pourraient expliquer leur action antimicrobienne : citral de Cymbopogon citratus, association citronellol/geraniol du Cymbopogon nardus. L'huile essentielle de Cymbopogon schoenanthus (chimiotype a piperitone) est depourvue d'activite antifongique. Les huiles essentielles de C. citratus L. et celle de C. nardus L. pourraient etre recommandees comme principes actifs dans des formulations (cremes, lotions, etc.) contre les mycoses superficielles.

We screened wild fungal isolates for melanolytic activity and found that Sporotrichum pruinosum was the most promising of the very limited number of fungi that decolourised synthetic melanin. We used a submerged aerobic process to produce a skin depigmentation enzyme by this strain, and found that in the medium the presence of Mn 2+ ions was necessary, the limitation of carbon source was beneficial, and Zn 2+ ions were inhibitory. Cultivation in a stirred bioreactor required immobilization of mycelium and use of low stirring velocity. A partially purified enzyme was prepared and tested for depigmentation of human skin corneocytes and whole epidermis of phototypes III and V. This is the first study demonstrating the effective enzymatic degradation of the skin melanin rather than inhibition of its synthesis. This opens the possibility of using melanolytic enzymes in cosmetic skin lightening.

Abstract Five essential oils of African Lamiaceae (Aeolanthus pubescens Bent., Ocimum canum Sims., O. gratissimum L., O. sanctum L., Platostoma atricanum P.B.) have been investigated chemically by means of GC-MS. Chemotypes have been clearly defined. Antibacterial and antifungal tests in vitro have been undertaken upon strains of humans and pets cutaneous microfloras. In culture, these oils don't destroy the saprophytes. On the contrary, Aeolanthus pubescens, Ocimum gratissimum (thymol chemotypes) and Platostoma atricanum (methyl-eugenol and eugenol chemotype) inhibit the development of many pathogenic fungi.

A study was carried out of the viable airbornemycological flora of 12 wine cellars in the Arboisregion in France. Results show that there wereconsiderable variations in the quantities ofpropagules: from 57 to 2547 CFU m −3 . There was arelatively large number of species (48), which aremore frequently recovered from certain cellar types.The most common were Cladosporium sphaerospermum,Aspergillus versicolor, A. restrictus, Penicilliumglabrum, P. dierckxii, P. implicatum and P.brevicompactum . So the risk of allergies subsequentto inhalation of large quantities of spores is farfrom minimal.

Largely widespread in tropical countries, Ocimum gratissimum has been claimed for many uses in folk medicine. Recent research on its essential oils showed five chemotypes. An Indian chemotype, with a high level of ethyl cinnamate, presents, in vitro, an interesting spectrum of antifungal properties.

Summary Hop resins show antibiotic properties. Such activities may be also detected in the essential oils. Although less performant than traditional antiseptics, these products are able to eliminate specifically some inauspicious microorganisms of the skin (pathogens or saprophytes with high levels of odour). The oil of Hop may be purposed as a model for deodorants of natural origin.