Efficacy of decontamination against some fungi using cotton fibers infused with essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus, Melaleuca alternifolia and Citrus limon

Fungal contamination of domestic and healthcare surfaces is a continual problem to environmental hygiene and the prevention of infections. This study examined the antifungal effectiveness of cotton wipes infused with essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass, LGEO), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree, TTEO), and Citrus limon (LEO), both separately and in a combination formulation (LLT mix). Single Cotton Layer (SCL) and Activated Carbon Layer (ACL) were the cotton substrates infused with the essential oils of LGEO, TTEO, LEO and LLT mix at concentrations of 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% and evaluated against Penicillium chrysogenum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Alternaria spp. via the agar diffusion method. Zones of inhibition were measured in millimeters after 7 days incubation at 25˚C. Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) and inferential analyses (one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD) were utilized to identify significant differences among treatments, while error-bar and percentage-increase visualizations depicted concentration-dependent trends and experimental accuracy. Lemongrass oil demonstrated the most significant inhibitory zones at various doses (p < 0.05), validating its potent fungistatic and fungicidal characteristics. The LLT combination exhibited synergistic effects, surpassing the anticipated additive effects of the constituent oils. Activated-carbon layers exhibited reduced inhibition zones compared to single-cotton layers, indicating partial adsorption of active chemicals by the carbon matrix. Essential-oil-infused cotton wipes demonstrated consistent and repeatable antifungal efficacy, which increased proportionally with oil content. These discoveries provide a scientific foundation for creating natural, biodegradable surface-decontamination materials that integrate plant-derived antimicrobial characteristics with textile functionality. The research emphasizes the viability of essential-oil-infused cotton substrates as sustainable substitutes for synthetic chemical disinfectants, thereby advancing ecologically viable technologies for protecting public health.