NATURAL LEATHER FOOTWEAR PROTECTION AGAINST FUNGI USING ESSENTIAL OILS

Biocides used in the leather and footwear industry, based on beta-naphthol, benzothiazole and sulfone derivatives, etc. are toxic to humans and environment, some of these being prohibited by the directives in force. Many studies revealed utilization of essential oils for leather and leather objects protection against fungi. Fungi grow quickly under high humidity conditions and temperatures ranging between 25 and 30°C. Research aims the replacement of potentially toxic biocides with ecologic materials – essential oils extracted from plants. The biological activity of essential oils depends on their composition. Essential oils that contain substituted phenols (eugenol) exhibit strong antibacterial and antioxidant effects.The paper presents the possibility of using essential oil of laurel as alternative preservatives for skin treatment. Essential oil isolated from laurel (Laurus Nobilis) containing: eugenol – 46.95%, DL limonene – 43.37% and alpha terpinolene – 7.14%. Testing of essential oil of laurel was carried out monitoring the manner in which mold growth is influenced by the treatment applied to the sample through the resistance to mold in simulated contamination conditions. Following the study, it is concluded that the selected essential oil of laurel can be used as an antifungal agent in the field of natural leather footwear processing. The natural leathers for linings can be treated with new product based on essential oil with antifungal and antibacterial effect.