Farnesol as an antifungal agent: comparisons among and haploid and diploid and .

Farnesol was identified 20 years ago in a search for quorum sensing molecules (QSM), but there is still uncertainty regarding many aspects of its mode of action including whether it employs farnesol transport mechanisms other than diffusion. Based on the structural similarity between farnesol and the farnesylated portion of the pheromone, we explored the effects of ploidy and mating type locus () on the antifungal activity of exogenous farnesol. We approached this question by examining five and five haploid strains with regard to their farnesol sensitivity in comparison to six heterozygous diploids.

Microbial population dynamics under microdoses of the essential oil arborvitae.

Background: With the current concern caused by drug resistant microorganisms, alternatives to traditional antimicrobials are increasingly necessary. Historical holistic treatments involving natural approaches are now of interest as a potential alternative. Many essential oils have antimicrobial properties with the ability to modify bacterial and fungal population dynamics in low concentrations.