Footwear protection against fungi using Thyme essential oil

Abstract

Many natural antimicrobial agents have been identified over the last decades, such as essential oils, which have a proven effect against bacteria and fungi found on feet. This paper investigates antifungal activity of thyme essential oil against Trichophyton interdigitale on sheepskins for footwear lining. Thyme essential oil showed the best antifungal activity on sheepskins for footwear lining. Thyme oil offers a much safer alternative to toxic biocides. The results of this study may have potential for use in the development of applications in the sanitation of footwear components.