Antifungal efficacy of a citrus fruit extract against Candida albicans cells

The number of superficial candidal infections has grown due to an increase in the elderly cohort and ever-increasing immunocompromised population, and the increased prevalence of antifungal drug resistance. The aim of this research was to investigate the antifungal efficacy of a citrus fruit extract, Biosecur c320c (B320), against two strains of Candida albicans (nystatin sensitive and resistant). The viability of C. albicans strain treated with 10% B320 was reduced by 90-99% depending on biofilm age. A B320/nystatin combination demonstrated even greater efficacy at killing biofilm cells in either strain. The nystatin sensitive strain did not develop resistance to B320 while resistance was developed following long-term exposure to nystatin. Scanning electron micrographs of C. albicans biofilms revealed cellular debris after treatment with combined B320/nystatin. Citrus fruit extracts containing polyphenols might contribute to the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of oral candidiasis, particularly in those refractory to nystatin therapy.