In vitro killing of Candida albicans by fatty acids and monoglycerides.
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.
Bergsson
G
G
Institute of Biology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. gudmunb@hi.is
Arnfinnsson
J
J
Steingrímsson O
Thormar
H
H
D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003652:Decanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005989:Glycerides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007850:Lauric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D003652:Decanoic Acids; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005989:Glycerides; D007850:Lauric Acids; C030358:lauric acid; C031071:decanoic acid