Industry News Tracker | Feed Strategy | 24 June 2026
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Key Takeaways

Researchers from the University of New South Wales have evaluated a catmint-oil-based formulation as a spatial disinfectant targeting airborne transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry environments. In controlled closed-chamber tests, aerosolised vapour containing catmint oil reduced H1N1 virus viability by 99.9% within just two minutes, indicating rapid inactivation of respiratory pathogens suspended in air. Electron microscopy showed that the formulation disrupts the protective outer envelope of enveloped viruses, causing the particles to break apart and lose infectivity, a mechanism directly relevant to HPAI viruses that rely on their lipid coating to enter host cells.

Catmint oil itself is a highly concentrated essential oil produced by steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops of Nepeta cataria, with nepetalactone identified as the primary active compound responsible for its herbaceous, mildly minty aroma and antimicrobial activity. The article notes that catmint fog could, in some facility configurations, be distributed via existing overhead piping systems, reducing the need for major capital investment. In addition to antiviral activity, catmint oil is highlighted for its natural insect-repellent properties and potential to support gut health and digestion in poultry, although standard biosecurity measures remain essential and further work is required on optimised formulations and hydrogenated variants for in-house air fogging.

Technical Details

1. Core Technology / Process

• Catmint-oil-based vapour is used as a spatial disinfectant to reduce airborne transmission of respiratory viruses in commercial poultry houses.
• The formulation is aerosolised in a closed chamber to contact viral particles suspended in air, simulating airborne infection pathways relevant to HPAI.
• Electron microscopy indicates that the primary mode of action is disruption of the viral envelope, leading to structural breakdown and loss of infectivity.
• The approach is positioned as a complementary tool within a broader biosecurity programme, rather than a replacement for existing environmental and infection-prevention measures.

2. Key Ingredients / Specifications

• Catmint oil is defined as a highly concentrated essential oil obtained by steam distillation of leaves and flowering tops of Nepeta cataria, a mint family plant.
• The primary active component is nepetalactone, associated with both the characteristic herbaceous, mildly minty odour and antimicrobial properties of the oil.
• The article focuses on catmint-oil-based formulations designed for vapour or fogging applications in poultry facilities, without specifying detailed compositional ratios or carriers.

3. Performance Data

• In controlled closed-chamber tests, the catmint oil formulation reduced H1N1 viabilité by 99.9% within two minutes when delivered as an aerosolised vapour.
• The study links this rapid loss of viabilité to the observed envelope disruption under electron microscopy, connecting structural damage to functional inactivation.
• No additional numeric data on dose–response curves, exposure durations beyond two minutes, or broader pathogen panels are disclosed in the source article.

4. Market / Sustainability

• The technology is framed as a candidate for spatial disinfection in commercial poultry houses, targeting airborne disease transmission routes associated with HPAI outbreaks.
• Catmint fog is described as potentially compatible with existing overhead piping systems in some facilities, reducing the need for new distribution hardware and lowering adoption barriers.
• Beyond antiviral use, catmint oil’s natural insect-repellent properties are highlighted as a means to reduce mite and louse populations in nesting areas, alongside potential benefits for gut health and digestion in poultry.
• The article stresses that standard environmental precautions and routine infection-prevention measures remain essential and that further investigation into product formulation, including hydrogenated catmint oil for in-house fogging, is required before widespread commercial deployment.

Companies, Chemicals & Uses

Chemicals / Ingredients

• Catmint oil (Nepeta cataria essential oil)
• Nepetalactone (primary active compound)

Organisations / Institutions

• University of New South Wales (research institution conducting the study)
• Vapour Science (industry partner with product development role)

Applications / Use Cases

• Spatial disinfection in commercial poultry houses
• Airborne HPAI and H1N1 viral inactivation in closed environments
• Insect repellent for mites and lice in nesting areas
• Potential support for gut health and digestion in poultry flocks

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