Antifungal Activity of Finished Chromium Tanned Leather Containing Thyme and Tea Tree Essential Oils

Abstract Leather products provide an ideal environment for microbial growth. In order to prevent the appearance and spread of various types of microorganisms, it is treated with selected biocides and even essential oils. The aim of this paper was to investigate the antifungal activity of selected essential oils applied to finished chromium tanned leather which is intended for leather fancy products. Antifungal activity was evaluated according to the PN-EN 14119: 2005 standard. Four finished chromium tanned leathers were tested, each of which was soaked in the following essential oils: tea tree essential oil at a concentration of 1, 2 and 5% and thyme essential oil at concentration of 1, 2 and 5%. The results obtained indicated that leather finishing with thyme essential oil showed the antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum and Candida albicans strains. The application of 5% thyme essential oil to leather samples inhibited the growth of all strains tested. Using tea tree essential oil on leather samples showed a antimicrobial effect only against Candida albicans. The application of essential oils in the leather finishing process may be an alternative to biocides used in the tanning industry.