Effects of Lemongrass Essential Oil on Biofilm Formation of Candida albicans: Preliminary Study

Abstract

Specific anti-Candida activity against planktonic forms of lemongrass essential oil is well established nowadays. However, little is known about the effect of this oil on biofilm formation of Candida albicans. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lemongrass essential oil on biofilm formation of one reference and two clinical strains of Candida albicans namely C. albicans ATCC 90028, C. albicans No.2 and C. albicans No.4. The effect of sub-MICs of the oil (0.5xMIC; 0.015%,v/v), 1xMIC, 2xMIC and 4xMIC on the ability of Candida to form biofilm at 2, 4 and 24 hrs  was determined by crystal violet assay. The results showed that lemongrass essential oil was able to interfere biofilm formation starting from the initial phase. The effect of the oil on initial cell attachment and biofilm eradication revealed in dose, exposure time and strain dependent manner. However, complete inhibition of cell attachment and biofilm eradication were not achieved.