Efficiency on Fungal Inhibition of Benzalkonium Chloride and Lemongrass Essential Oil on Polyester Fabric

These days, people spend most of their time indoors. Cinema is one example of an indoor place being full of people at a time. Upholstery fabrics in cinema are made of polyester fabrics, which are main food of fungi. Besides, fungi naturally grow in high humidity condition, seem expected in cinema. Fungi then are concerned regarding human health effect. This study applied Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC) and Lemongrass essential oil to inhibit the fungal growth on polyester fabric. The concentrations of BKC and Lemongrass essential oil applied were varied from 1 to 25 per cent. This research aims to seek minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and effective duration of both fungicides. The Polyester fabric 35 per cent (TC) and 100 per cent (TK) were determined according to AATCC Test Method 20-2008, 30-2004 Section III, and 81-2006. Moreover, we determine the damage of polyester fabric caused by both fungicides. Aspergillus niger was chosen for this experiment because it is a prevalent airborne fungi. This study indicates that BKC is more effective than Lemongrass essential oil regarding MIC and cost of fungicides. 1 and 5 per cent-BKC are suitable to inhibit the fungal growth on TC and TK fabrics respectively. Effective duration of 1 and 5 per cent-BKC are 18 and 30 days respectively. Furthermore, TK and TC fabrics are not damaged by 1 and 5 per cent-BKC. So 1 and 5 per cent-BKC would be recommended for practical use