- Alberto Cáceres-Huambo, Jannet María Escobedo Vargas, Jose Alberto Fernández Rivera , Maricielo Pamela Mamani-Concha
- Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa.
- Email: acaceresh@unsa.edu.pe.
- Universidad Católica de Santa María Arequipa.
- Email: jescobed@ucsm.edu.pe.
- Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa.
- Email: jfernandezr@unsa.edu.pe.
- Universidad Católica de Santa María Arequipa.
- Email: maricielopamelamc@gmail.com.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate the in vitro antifungal effect of the essential oil of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill "fennel" against two strains of Candida albicans i.e. ATCC 90028 and native strain.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a comparative, prospective and experimental study which was carried out in the Microbiology Laboratories of the Catholic University of Santa María and the National University of San Agustín. The method of direct suspension of colonies in broth with tubes for the strains was used in this study. In vitro antifungal susceptibility to both strains of Candida albicans was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer (hole) technique. Whereas, growth inhibition halos were measured using the Durafford scale.
RESULTS: The highest inhibition halo (50mm) was found at concentration of 100% essential oil. When measured according to the Durafford scale, an extremely sensitive (+++) inhibitory effect was achieved for both strains of Candida albicans.
CONCLUSIONS: The essential oil of fennel at 100% showed a greater antifungal effect on both the native and ATCC 90028 certified strains of Candida albicans.