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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Microbiol.
Sec. Microbial Physiology and Metabolism
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1518598

Innovative Antifungal Strategies: Enhanced Biofilm Inhibition of Candida albicans by a Modified Tea Tree Oil Formulation

Provisionally accepted
Dang Anh Tuan Dang Anh Tuan 1*Pham Vu Nhat Uyen Pham Vu Nhat Uyen 2Nguyen Van Khuon Nguyen Van Khuon 3Ly An Binh Ly An Binh 4Ngo Vo Thien Nhan Ngo Vo Thien Nhan 5Jan Masak Jan Masak 1
  • 1 University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, Prague, Czechia
  • 2 Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • 3 Thu Duc City Public Health Station, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • 4 An Binh Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • 5 Thu Duc District Health Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Candida albicans, a significant human pathogen due to its biofilm-forming ability, poses a serious health risk. This study investigates the antifungal activity and biofilm inhibition potential of Tea Tree Oil (TTO) from Melaleuca alternifolia cultivated in Vietnam. Renowned for its bioactive compounds, including terpinen-4-ol, 1,8-cineole, and terpinolene, the essential oil of M. alternifolia, commonly referred to as TTO, is scrutinized for its impact on C. albicans. The study meticulously determines the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of TTO against C. albicans in both planktonic and biofilm states.Additionally, it assesses the biofilm-forming capacity of C. albicans and establishes the Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration (MBIC) and Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration (MBEC) of TTO. Employing a liquid culture dilution method within a defined concentration range of 0.1 μL/mL to 10 μL/mL, the experimental approach adheres to established protocols. The outcomes reveal a noteworthy MIC and MIC80 of 0.1 μL/mL and 2 μL/mL, respectively, and an MFC of 10 μL/mL for TTO against C. albicans. Furthermore, TTO exhibits an MBIC of 2 μL/mL, showcasing its efficacy in inhibiting biofilm formation. However, the MBEC of TTO remains uncertain, possibly due to insufficient concentration tested, which may not effectively disrupt over 50% of the pre-formed biofilm mass within 24 hours. These findings highlight TTO's significant potential as both an antifungal agent and a biofilm inhibitor against C. albicans, providing essential insights that could guide the development of new therapeutic approaches for treating fungal infections.

    Keywords: Candida albicans, Tea Tree Oil, Biofilm, Antifungal, biofilm inhibition, Modified Tea Tree Oil Formulation, Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), Minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC)

    Received: 28 Oct 2024; Accepted: 23 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Tuan, Uyen, Khuon, Binh, Nhan and Masak. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Dang Anh Tuan, University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, Prague, Czechia

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.