The Influence of Chemical Composition of Commercial Lemon Essential Oils on the Growth of Candida Strains

Abstract

Candida yeasts are saprophytes naturally present in the environment and forming colonies on human mucous membranes and skin. They are opportunistic fungi that cause severe and even fatal infections in immunocompromised individuals. Several essential oils, including eucalyptus, pine, cinnamon and lemon, have been shown to be effective against Candida strains. This study addresses the chemical composition of some commercial lemon essential oils and their antifungal potential against selected Candida yeast strains. Antifungal potential and minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for six commercial lemon essential oils against five Candida yeast strains (Candida albicans 31, Candida tropicalis 32, Candida glabrata 33, Candida glabrata 35 and Candida glabrata 38). On the basis of the GCMS analysis, it was found that the tested lemon essential oils had different chemical compositions, but mostly, they contained almost exclusively terpenes and oxygenated terpenes. The tests show that antifungal potential of lemon essential oils against Candida yeast strains was related to the high content of monoterpenoids and the type of Candida strains. From six tested commercial oils, only four (ETJA, Vera-Nord, Avicenna-Oil and Aromatic Art) shows antifungal potential against three Candida species (C. albicans, C.tropicalis and C.glabrata). Vera-Nord and Avicenna-Oil show the best activity and effectively inhibit the growth of the C. albicans strain across the full range of the concentrations used. Our study characterises lemon essential oils, which could be used as very effective natural remedies against candidiasis caused by C. albicans.

Correlation between Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Clausena lansium Essential Oil against Candida spp.

“…Comprehensive analysis illustrates the importance of monoterpenes to antifungal activities and there were differences among different types of Candida strains. The results agree with those of Białon et al [20] who suggested that the antifungal potential of lemon essential oils against Candida yeast strains was related to the high content of monoterpenoids and the type of Candida strains.…”

Essential Oils, Silver Nanoparticles and Propolis as Alternative Agents Against Fluconazole Resistant Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Candida krusei Clinical Isolates

“…Thus using of these products as therapeutic agents or even cosmetics would require confirmation of their antimicrobial activity (for each production batch). Interesting analysis of differences of chemical composition as well as antifungal activity of commercially available Lemon essential oils has been recently presented by Bialon and coworkers [21]. From 6 tested commercial oils only 4 showed antifungal potential.…”

Towards a new treatment against polymicrobial infections: high antibacterial activity of lemon IntegroPectin againstPseudomonas aeruginosaandEscherichia coli

“…[24] These results were subsequently confirmed for the fungicidal action of lemon oil against Candida albicans pathogenic yeasts, wherein the most active antimicrobial was found to be citral. [25] Remarkably, the concentration of the latter oxygenated monoterpene is particularly abundant in the peel of citrus grown (in Sicily) according to organic farming principles. [26] Indeed, the waste lemon peel used to produce the IntPec was obtained by a citrus company in Sicily using only organically grown lemons.…”