Effect of citral, eugenol, nerolidol and α-terpineol on the ultrastructural changes of Trichophyton mentagrophytes

The antifungal effects of citral, eugenol, nerolidol and α-terpineol on Trichophyton mentagrophytes were investigated. Citral over 0.1 mg/ml strongly inhibited the hyphal growth of T. mentagrophytes, and the antifungal activity of α-terpineol was less effective. The morphological changes of the fungus exposed to the terpenes were observed by electron microscopy. The hyphae were distorted and collapsed at 0.2, 0.4 and 1 mg/ml of eugenol, nerolidol and α-terpineol respectively, and cell membrane and organelles were irreversibly damaged at 0.2 mg/ml citral.These suggested that four terpenes possess antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes, and the activity might lead to irreversible cellular disruption.

Graphical AbstractWith high concentrations of the terpenes, the morphological changes of Trichophyton mentagrophytes were readily found. The hyphae were distorted and collapsed, and cell membrane and organelles were irreversibly damaged.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide