A.N. Tsitsilin, E.A. Motina, T.V. Fateeva, L.D. Shipulina

Plectranthus amboinicus and Plectranthus purpuratus form the largest leaf area, and therefore have a higher fine quality at a relatively high level of illumination - 2000 lx. In this light they have a maximum phytoncid activity against common bacterial infection of the air, respectively 49 % and 36 %, and against Staphylococcus aureus strain 209-P over a long period of time. At 100 lux illumination in both species Plectranthus phytoncide activity in general was not observed, the plants die after 2,2,5 months. Elettaria cardamomum and Ophiopogon japonicus develop a large above-ground part and have a high quality decorative lighting at a lower than Plectranthus - 500 lux. Phytoncide activity of cardamom and ofiopogona at 2000 lux for total microbial contamination of air is approximately equal to, respectively 30 % and 27 %. At 500 lux phytoncide activity they have reduced by 30-33 %. In the species studied phytoncid activity against Staphylococcus aureus was observed only at 2000 lux. Moreover, in light-loving Plectranthus have higher phytoncid activity against Staphylococcus aureus (32-43 %) than in Ophiopogon japonicus and Elettaria cardamomum (14-27 %).