Summary
Objective. — To investigate the anti-Malassezia activities of Zataria multiflora, Pelargonium
graveolens and Cuminum cyminum essential oils (EOs) against different pathogenic Malassezia
species isolated from patients with pityriasis versicolor (PV).
Patients and methods. — The EOs were obtained by water-distillation using a Clevenger-type
system. Anti-Malassezia activity against Malassezia species was carried out using disk diffusion
method in Dixon agar.
Results. — The main oil components were carvacrol (61.3%) and thymol (25.2%) for
Z. multiflora, apinene (30%) and limonene (21%) for C. cyminum and citronelol (28.2%) and
geraniol (22.1%) forP. graveolens. The threeMalassezia species showed a similar susceptibility to
the three plants tested, C. cyminum (mean value: 48.3 mm) being the most active, followed by
Z. multiflora (mean value: 28.1 mm) and P. graveolens (mean value: 26.1 mm).
Conclusion. — This study indicated that Z. multiflora, P. graveolens and C. cyminum EOs have
considerable anti-Malassezia activities, deserving further investigation for clinical applications
for the treatment of PV.