In this study, six compounds were isolated and purified from dandelion, and only sample I exhibited notable antifungal effect on Candida albicans (CA). high‑performance liquid chromatography‑diode‑array detector‑electrospray ionization‑tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that sample I comprised 4‑coumaric acid, ferulic acid, quercetin pentoside, 3,5‑di‑O‑caffeoylquinic acid, 4,5‑di‑O‑caffeoylquinic acid, luteolin, and two unknown compounds, at a relative percent composition of 11.45, 3.96, 10.48, 34.24, 3.91, 11.80, 3.65 and 4.21%, respectively. Further antimicrobial experiments showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of sample I was 32.0 mg/ml, and sample I mainly acts on bacterial growth in the exponential phase of CA growth. Optical density and infrared analyses conclusively suggested that sample I damages the structure of CA cells, particularly the cell wall and cell membrane, resulting in macromolecule leakage of intracellular nucleic acids and cell metabolism disruption. In conclusion, dandelion sample I was reported to increase CA cell membrane permeability by affecting the glycosidic bond in β‑(1‑3)‑D glucan and destroying the cell wall, ultimately leading CA to death.
Keywords: dandelion; active ingredients; Candida albicans; bacteriostatic mechanism; β‑(1‑3)‑D glucan.