Frontiers in Public Health (Dec 2021)

Essential Oil Disinfectant Efficacy Against SARS-CoV-2 Microbial Surrogates

  • Emily S. Bailey,
  • Marina Curcic,
  • Jnev Biros,
  • Hüseyin Erdogmuş,
  • Nurcan Bac,
  • Albert Sacco

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.783832
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Reports of COVID-19 cases potentially attributed to fomite transmission led to the extensive use of various disinfectants to control viral spread. Alternative disinfectants, such as essential oils, have emerged as a potential antimicrobial. Four essential oil blends were tested on three different surfaces inoculated with a coronavirus surrogate, bacteriophage Phi 6, and a bacterial indicator, Staphylococcus aureus. Log10 concentration reductions were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software. Data collected in this study show that the application of dilute essential oil disinfectants using a spray delivery device is an effective way to reduce concentrations of bacterial and viral microorganisms on ceramic, stainless steel, and laminate surfaces. Surrogate viruses were reduced up to 6 log10 PFU and bacterial were reduced up to 4 log10 CFU. Although surfaces are no longer considered a high risk fomite for COVID-19 transmission, the disinfection of microorganisms on surfaces remains an important consideration for high touch areas in hospitals, waiting rooms, etc. The application of spray disinfectants, based on essential oil blends, provides a rapid and effective means to reduce microbial contamination on high-touched surfaces.

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