In vitro antifungal effect of Origanum vulgare (orégano) essential oil on Candida albicans ATCC ® 10231™

Abstract

Objetive: to evaluate the antifungal effect of Origanum vulgare (oregano) essential oil against Candida albicans ATCC® 10231™. Methods: Ninety Petri dishes were inoculated with Saboraud agar and distributed into six work groups (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% essential oil, a negative control with dimethyl sulfoxide, and a positive control with nystatin). Each group had 15 replicates selected by simple random sampling. The Kirby-Bauer technique was applied, placing a paper disc impregnated with the essential oil in the center of each plate and incubating the plates at 37°C. Inhibition halo measurements were taken at 24 and 48 hours. Statistical analysis was performed using the non-parametric Kruskal Wallis and Wilcoxon tests, using SPSS 25, with a confidence level of 95%. Results: showed that Origanum vulgare essential oil exhibited a significant antifungal effect, significantly superior to that of nystatin at all concentrations tested, both at 24 and 48 hours. The 100% concentration showed the greatest inhibitory effect. However, at 48 hours, the inhibition zone of the 25% oil was considerably reduced, although it still retained a significant antifungal effect against Candida albicans ATCC® 10231™. Conclusion: that oregano oil does have an antifungal effect against Candida albicans.