Antifungal activity and mode of action of carvacrol against Candida albicans strains

摘要

In this study, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) and mode of action of carvacrol were determined. MIC was determined according to the standard broth microdilution method, and MFC was taken as the lowest concentration in culture plates with Sabouraud dextrose agar, at which growth was less than 3 CFU. The effect of ergosterol or sorbitol on carvacrol was investigated using the broth microdilution method. MIC was 256 μg/mL and MFC was 512 μg/mL. This phytoconstituent acts by binding to sterols in the fungal membrane and does not act by modifying the fungal cell wall. This study is important because it shows the mode of action of carvacrol. However, more studies are necessary to define the exact mechanism of action.