Antifungal Activity of Leather Treated with Anethum graveolens and Melaleuca alternifolia Essential Oils against Trichophyton interdigitale

Trichophyton interdigitale is a common fungus causing onychomycosis of the nail in humans. Plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds with antifungal properties used in various compositions in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or various industrial products. In the present paper, the antifungal activity of two kinds of leathers was tested: ecologically processed sheepskin leather lining (Eco) and sheepskin leather lining processed with basic chromium salts (Cr), treated with Anethum graveolens and Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils. Dill (Anethum graveolens) essential oil rich in o-cymene (30.71%) and α -phellandrene (23.21%) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil rich in terpinene-4-ol (23.06%) were used. The results obtained in this study show that the essential oil of Anethum graveolens and Melaleuca alternifolia had a high antifungal effect against Trichophyton interdigitale. Tea tree and dill essential oils offer a much safer alternative protection against fungi as compared to synthetic compounds with adverse reactions to body and environment. The results of this study may have potential for use in developing applications for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, obtaining leathers and textiles with selective bioproperties.