Volatile applications against pathogens

1. A method of using a volatile antimicrobial compound against an infection caused by fungal pathogens, comprising:

contacting areas infected by the fungal pathogens with an atmosphere containing an effective amount of the volatile antimicrobial compound in gaseous form, the volatile antimicrobial compound having a structure of:

and pharmaceutically or agriculturally acceptable salts thereof,

wherein the infection is a vaginal yeast infection.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fungal pathogens are selected from the group consisting of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis, C. lusitaniae , or combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fungal pathogens are Candida albicans.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fungal pathogens are Candida krusei.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coating a material for releasing the volatile antimicrobial compound in a gaseous form or absorbing the volatile antimicrobial compound into the material.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the material is an absorbent material or a fabric.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of a panty liner pad or underwear.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the absorbent material is made of a component selected from the group consisting of cellulose, glass, polymer, nylon, and plastic fibers.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the volatile antimicrobial compound has the structure

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the volatile antimicrobial compound has the structure

11. A method of using a volatile antimicrobial compound against an infection caused by fungal pathogens, comprising:

(a) mixing the volatile antimicrobial compound with an organic solvent to form an antimicrobial solution;

(b) applying the antimicrobial solution to a substrate or a device;

(c) placing the substrate or the device in close proximity to an infected area by the fungal pathogens so that the gaseous form of the volatile antimicrobial compound releases near the infected area; and

(d) contacting the infected area with an atmosphere containing an effective amount of the volatile antimicrobial compound in gaseous form at a temperature between 1° C. and 50° C.;

wherein the volatile antimicrobial compound has a structure of:

and pharmaceutically or agriculturally acceptable salts thereof, wherein the infection is a vaginal yeast infection.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fungal pathogens are selected from the group consisting of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis, C. lusitaniae , or combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the organic solvent comprises acetone or ethanol.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fungal pathogens are Candida albicans.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fungal pathogens are Candida krusei.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein step (b) comprises coating a surface of the substrate or the device with the volatile antimicrobial compound or absorbing the volatile antimicrobial compound into the substrate or the device.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the substrate or the device is an absorbent material.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of a panty liner pad or underwear.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the volatile antimicrobial compound has the structure

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the volatile antimicrobial compound has the structure