Application of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil in vapour phase for heritage textiles disinfection

The currently applied disinfection methods of heritage textiles tend to destroy the objects, thus the need arises to find novel, effective and safe approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of CEO in vapour phase to disinfect new and heritage textiles, and its impact on the optical, mechanical and structural properties of materials. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of CEO in vapour phase were estimated as 5.625 μg ml−1 for moulds (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium funiculosum, Trichoderma viride), and 22.5 μg ml−1 for bacteria (Streptomyces rutgersensis, Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens). Depending on the species tested, the number of viable microorganisms on textiles was reduced by 2 - 7 logarithmic units after CEO disinfection. No significant changes in the optical, mechanical and structural parameters of the textiles were observed after CEO disinfection. In this context, disinfection with CEO in vapour phase seems to be an effective, sustainable and safe method of heritage textiles disinfection.