Study of the antibacterial activity in the gas phase of a chemical formulation for household waste management

The aim of this study was to formulate a product (microbicide mixture) that could slow down bacterial proliferation during the storage of household waste. We used harmless and natural components, known for their antimicrobial properties in the liquid phase at direct contact with the microbes. The antimicrobial activity of the microbicide mixture formulated was evaluated over a range of concentration in two types of tests, in the liquid and in the gas phase. Once the efficacy as antimicrobial agent in the liquid phase in direct contact with the microbe (Escherichia coli) was confirmed, we adopted a new approach to evaluate the effect of the vapour phase both on the microbes growth and its duration. Here we show that the perfect combination that gives rise to an antimicrobial mixture useful to control microbial growth (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Debaryomyces hansenii or Penicillium citrinum) up to four weeks is the one between more volatile agents (2-propanol and limonene) and a less volatile agent (cinnamaldehyde). The pleasant smell as well as the synergic antibacterial and antifungal function of the natural components of this mixture makes it attractive in domestic waste management.