Effect of Plant-Products Fumigation on Air-Borne Microbes

Abstract

Background and Objective: Purity of the ambient air is essential for our health and well-being. One of the main factors influencing air quality is the presence of microbes. Fumigation of herbs has been recommended in Unani medicine to purify the air. Hence, the present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of selected Unani herbs fumigation on air-borne microbes. Methods: In this study, the effect of fumigation with Unani Medicinal herbs powder on air-borne microbes was assessed using differences in total colony counts of microbes in pre and post fumigation samples. Microbial load in the air was quantified using the passive open-air petri plate method. Formalin and potassium permanganate served as positive control, while tamarind wood charcoal fumigation served as negative control. Results: Fumigation with Unani medicinal herbs powder at a dose of 45 grams was found to be the most effective in reducing the microbial load of the air. Significant reduction in aerial microbial colonies was observed with fumigation at 30 and 45 gms in the fumigated areas (P<0.05). Conclusion: It can be inferred from the findings of the present study that the test drugs fumigation efficiently reduces the air-borne microbes, hence may be recomanded for air disnfectant. However, various factors that were not considered in this study, such as the effect of temperature and humidity on disinfection efficiency of fumigants should be addressed in further studies.