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The anti-Candida activity of Thymbra capitata essential oil: Effect upon pre-formed biofilm

2012; Elsevier BV; Volume: 140; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jep.2012.01.029

1872-7573

Ana Palmeira‐de‐Oliveira, Carlos Gaspar, Rita Palmeira‐de‐Oliveira, Ana Silva-Dias, Lı́gia Salgueiro, Carlos Cavaleiro, Cidália Pina‐Vaz, José Martinez‐de‐Oliveira, João A. Queiroz, Acácio G. Rodrigues,

Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases

Thymbra capitata essential oil is traditionally considered to exhibit powerful antiseptic properties, thus being used to treat cutaneous infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Thymbra capitata essential oil upon pre-formed biofilm of different Candida strains while comparing it with the activity against planktonic cells. Fifteen Candida isolates were included, corresponding to clinical and collection type strains. Essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and its composition analysed by GC/MS. Activity upon planktonic cells was evaluated according to M27-A3 macromethod. Its effect upon 24 h preformed biofilm biomass was determined using the crystal violet procedure and the metabolic activity was studied applying the XTT/menadione technique. Biofilm biomass and metabolic activity of all tested species were reduced up to 50% at MIC values. The effect was more pronounced at double MIC values, achieving >80% reduction, except for Candida albicans that presented a more resistant profile (62%). Thymbra capitata essential oil presented an important effect upon Candida biofilms. It is proposed as a valuable antifungal product to be used in an appropriate pharmaceutical formulation for the management of resistant mucocutaneous candidosis.