In vitro killing of Candida albicans by fatty acids and monoglycerides

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2001 Nov;45(11):3209-12. doi: 10.1128/AAC.45.11.3209-3212.2001.

Abstract

The susceptibility of Candida albicans to several fatty acids and their 1-monoglycerides was tested with a short inactivation time, and ultrathin sections were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after treatment with capric acid. The results show that capric acid, a 10-carbon saturated fatty acid, causes the fastest and most effective killing of all three strains of C. albicans tested, leaving the cytoplasm disorganized and shrunken because of a disrupted or disintegrated plasma membrane. Lauric acid, a 12-carbon saturated fatty acid, was the most active at lower concentrations and after a longer incubation time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / ultrastructure
  • Decanoic Acids / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids / pharmacology*
  • Glycerides / pharmacology*
  • Lauric Acids / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Microscopy, Electron

Substances

  • Decanoic Acids
  • Fatty Acids
  • Glycerides
  • Lauric Acids
  • lauric acid
  • decanoic acid