Antifungal properties of essential oils and their main components upon Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans opportunistic fungus met in the last phasis of AIDS is inhibited in vitro by several essential oils on natural volatile compounds. The minimal inhibitory concentration may reach 100 microliters/l and minimal fungicidal concentration 200 microliters/l with Palmarosa or Cinnamon oils. Among phenolic compounds, thymol and carvacrol are most fungitoxic. Terpenoids, citral, geraniol, and citronellol show best activities.