Antifungal activity of the essential oil of micromeria barbata an endemic lebanese micromeria species collected at North Lebanon

The spreading of the resistance to antifungal drugs is a significant issue to the public health and requires to find out a new and innovative alternative for the treatment of resistant fungi and yeasts strains. micromeria barbata a lamiaceae perennial aromatic herb naturally grown in the rocky areas of the mediterranean region,is represented by 14 species and 22 taxa. m. barbata and m. libanotica are endemic lebanese species. the aim of this study is to assess the antifungal activity of m. barbata essential oil towards 20 strains of filamentous fungi (dermatophytes and molds) and 20 yeast. the inhibition ratio has been calculated for each fungi for all the essential oil dilutions used. the obtained results for filamentous fungi showed a high antifungal activity of the essential oil even at high dilution. a similar results was observed event towards strains presenting antifungal drug resistant. the method used in this work to assess the antimicrobial effect of essential oil was smooth,rapid and accurate. m. barbata essential oil used in this study may be useful as an alternative antimicrobial agent for the treatment of many fungal infections and nosocomial infections.