Inhibitory effect of essential oils on the growth of geotrichum candidum

Geotrichum candidum. The isolates were obtained from the dairy products of domestic origin (sour cream, raw cow's milk, base for
production of the brand, unsalted cheese, and cheese made from cows' milk). We studied the impact of five essential oils [pure essential
oil EOs (100 %)] - clove, basil, rosemary, fennel and thyme at concentration of 0.625 μL.cm-3 of air. Gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used for the identification of the main components of EOs. We tested the effect of the essential oils
by the gaseous diffusion method. The isolates were cultivated on PDA (Potato dextrose agar), in the dark, at 25 ±1 °C, 14 days. The
diameter growing of colonies we continuously measured on the 3rd, 7th, 11th, and 14th day of cultivation. The results of the paper suggest
that clove and thyme essential oil had 100 % inhibitory effect on the growth of all tested isolates. Fennel, basil and rosemary essential oil
had not significant inhibitory effects on tested isolates Geotrichum candidum. However, these oils affected the growth of colonies
throughout the cultivation. Fennel EO had 100 % inhibition only on the growth of one isolates of Geotrichum candidum to the 3rd day of
cultivation. Basil EO had the stimultating effect on the growth of two isolates of G. candidum (KMi 322 and KMi 189). Our results showed
that clove and thyme essential oil could be used as a natural preservative useful in the food industry.