Allahabad :
High humidity has led to spurt in cases of fungal infection. The easy remedy to the problem comes in form of oil extracted from various herbs. A team of scientists of Allahabad University has extracted three types of oil. Their study has been published in various international journals and further research is being conducted in collaboration with an institute in Germany.
Detailing about various sorts of fungal infections and remedies to combat them, head of the department of botany, Allahabad University, Anupam Dikshit, said: “We have extracted oil from various plants which are effective against fungus and viruses. Both bacteria and fungus are capable of harming the fibre of your clothes but fungal infection is far more deadly.” He added that fungus needs certain medium for growth and cotton clothes and leather items provide best of conditions. Cotton and leather contain cellulose, which is made of polysaccharides and on the contrary, synthetic clothes are much safer from these infections.
This work of Dikshit has given two patents to his name, one a joint US-India-German patent and another one an Indian. Apart from this the work has been published in several international journals.
Dikshit said that the best climatic conditions for fungus are the temperature ranging between 30-35 degree Celsius and 55% or above humidity.
He suggested that one should be more careful in respect to white or light clothings as the fungal growth in the vegetative stage misses the naked eyes. And by the time you recognize the dark or black colour of the second stage of fungal growth, it had already done substantial damage to the fibre.
Similarly, about the leather items, he explained that the green spot on the leather, which again is an organic material, is fungus named penicillium. The best remedy is to polish them in every two days as the essential oil controls the fungal spores from germinating at the first stage, itself.
About the remedial measures, Dikshit informed that essential oil, present in ammi commonly known ajwaien, fennel or Sauf and cumin seeds or zeera, are the best remedy.
So, the next time you spot a white or coloured patch on your dress better get it treated as this could be fungal infection already in the process of harming the fibers of the clothes.
Tips to protect clothes from fungus
* Take your outside, sunshine and fresh air will kill the mildew
* Leave a light bulb turned on in areas where the fungus is most likely to breed
* Remove clothes from plastic dry cleaning bags immediately
* Check your clothes for spots/stains every time you hang them up
* Keep about an inch between your clothes and don’t cram them in
Keep closet door open to help with air flow
* Never hang clothes in your closet, unless they are completely dry
* Stuff your shoes and handbags that you don’t wear daily with a little tissue
* Opt for paint, not wall paper on your closet walls
Tips to protect leather from fungus
* Allow air circulation around stored items
* Apply a wax dressing to leather
* Take your leather items out occasionally and place them in the sunlight
* Store leather goods for extended periods
* Clean your leather regularly
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Rajeev Mani, TNN / June 28th, 2015