Structural-functional reorganization of dimorphous black yeast-like fungi Exophiala alcalophila under influence of plant essential oils

Abstract

Antifungal influence of essential oils of the following plants Cariophyllus aromaticus L., Foennicilum vulgare Mill., Lavandula anqustifolia Mill., Mentha piperita L., Melaleuca alternifolia Maid., Origanum vulgare L., Pelargonium roseum Wild., Thymus vulgaris L., and benzalconium chloride on black yeast-like fungi Exophiala alcalophila Goto et Sugiy was investigated. High level of the antifungal influence of plant oils of O. vulgare, Th. vulgaris, P. roseum and C. aromaticus was found with the usage of disc-diffusion method. The influence of plant essential oils mentioned is similar to influence of 3% benzalconium chloride. The following structural-functional reorganization of Exophiala alcalophila, i.e.: exchange of morphometric indices of cells, colony morphology, intensity of budding, dimorphous transition 'yeast-mycelium' were observed under influence of benzalconium chloride and plant essential oils of O. vulgare, Th. vulgaris, P. roseum and C. aromaticus. These exchanges illustrate wide adaptation possibilities of black yeast culture investigated.

Keywords

• black yeast, plant essential oils, antifungal influence, adaptation exchanges