Free and nanoemulsified Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil: in vitro antifungal effect on Candida spp.

Authors

• Dara Monize Pazze Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1746-1738
• Ketlin Strada Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7719-2061
• Karine Raquel Uhdich Kleibert Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7511-1977
• Gabriela Matte Bertoldi Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5355-1891
• Ivan Ricardo Carvalho Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7947-4900
• José Antônio nbhy./ Gonzalez da Silva Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9335-2421
• Fernanda Wagner Boz Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4550-5906
• Patrícia Gomes Universidade Fransciscana, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8020-6636
• Giane Engel Montagner Universidade Fransciscana, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9661-6798
• Christiane de Fatima Colet Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2023-5088

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v15i4.20350

Keywords:

Cymbopogon, Nanoparticles, Phytochemicals

Abstract

Justification and Objectives: The Cymbopogon genus has attracted interest due to its bioactive compounds with antifungal and antimicrobial potential. This study investigated the in vitro antifungal activity of free and nanoemulsified essential oil of Cymbopogon flexuosus against ATCC standard strains of Candida spp. Methods: Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, and Candida glabrata were used in the assay, being tested alongside a positive control (fluconazole and amphotericin B) and a negative control (distilled water + 80 2% Tween). Agar diffusion was used. After treatment, the assays were incubated at 36 °C for 48 hours = in six replicates. Results: Antifungal activity was observed against all ATCC strains tested. The free oil at 10%, 15%, and 70% concentrations showed an activity similar to the positive control for C. tropicalis. The nanoemulsified oil at a 5% concentration showed results similar to the positive control for C. glabrata. Conclusion: Among the tested species, C. albicans proved to be the most sensitive at all concentrations, whereas C. krusei resisted the essential oil treatment the most. Complementing our findings requires further toxicological and clinical studies.

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