Antifungal Efficacy of Garlic and Olive Oil Against Candida albicans and Penicillium palitans

Amani Alhejely ¹*

The study demonstrates the potential of garlic and olive oil as natural antifungal agents in managing fungal infections.

Abstract

Background: Garlic and olive oil have long been recognized for their medicinal properties, particularly for their antimicrobial and antifungal effects. This study investigated the antifungal activity of garlic oil and olive oil against Candida albicans and Penicillium palitans, two common fungal species known to cause infections and spoilage. Methods: Fungi were cultivated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium, both unsupplemented and supplemented with varying concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%) of olive oil and garlic oil. The radial growth of the fungi was measured after seven days of incubation at 25°C. The antifungal activity was evaluated by comparing fungal growth across the different concentrations of oils. Results: Olive oil exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on C. albicans, with the highest inhibition observed at a 15% concentration, reducing growth to an average of 30 mm. Garlic oil showed even greater antifungal activity, with a 15% concentration reducing growth to 29.33 mm. In contrast, Penicillium palitans was less sensitive to both oils, though garlic oil still demonstrated moderate inhibitory effects, particularly at the 15% concentration, reducing growth to 64.33 mm. Olive oil had a less pronounced effect on P. palitans, with the highest concentration reducing growth to 61.67 mm. Conclusion: Both garlic oil and olive oil inhibited the growth of C. albicans and P. palitans, with garlic oil proving more effective, particularly at higher concentrations. C. albicans was more sensitive to both oils compared to P. palitans, suggesting species-specific susceptibility. These findings indicate the potential of natural oils, especially garlic oil, as antifungal agents, warranting further research into their mechanisms and applications.

Keywords: Garlic oil, Olive oil, Antifungal activity, Candida albicans, Penicillium palitans

References

Akbar, A., Khan, A. A., & Khan, M. I. (2015). Antimicrobial activity of garlic (Allium sativum) extracts against pathogenic microorganisms. International Journal of Herbal Medicine, 3(3), 70-73.

Al-Shafie, D. (n.d.). The olive tree. Seasonal Journal, (199).

Badawy, W. A. (n.d.). Secrets of treatment with olive oil.

Bhatti, H. U., Mehmood, M. H., Hussain, A., & Zubair, M. (2018). Antifungal activity of garlic extracts against clinical isolates of Candida species. Journal of Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 10(2), 23-28.

Dhawan, K., & Dhawan, S. (2010). Allium sativum (Garlic): A review of its use in traditional and modern medicine. Natural Product Research, 24(15), 1397-1415. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786410902967891

El Shami, M., Fadl, A., & Tawfick, A. (1985). Antifungal property of garlic olive juice compared with fungicidal treatment against Fusarium sp. with watermelon. Egyptian Journal of Phytopathology, 17(1), 55–62.

El-Din, S. A., & Abdel Nasser, I. M. (2014). Garlic and its health benefits. Asyut Journal of Environmental Studies, (40).

Gupta, A., & Gupta, R. (2013). Role of garlic in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review. International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases, 3(2), 125-132. https://doi.org/10.4103/2231-0738.112628

Harris, J. C., Cottrell, S. L., Plummer, S., & Lloyd, D. (2001). Antimicrobial properties of Allium sativum. Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 57, 282–286.

Helal, R. M. (1418 AH). Oil of the blessed tree. Al-Khafgy Journal.

Hwang, H. S., Lee, H. J., & Lee, J. S. (2017). The antifungal effect of garlic extract on Candida albicans biofilm. Mycobiology, 45(3), 174-179. https://doi.org/10.1080/12298093.2017.1368000

Kiritsakis, A. K., Lenart, E. B., Willet, W. C., & Hernandez, R. J. (1998). Olive oil: From the tree to the table (2nd ed.). Food and Nutrition Press, Inc.

Koo, H. C., & Hwang, K. W. (2004). Effects of garlic extracts on the antifungal activity of amphotericin B against Candida albicans. Journal of Microbiology, 42(5), 378-382.

Mondal, S., & Roy, A. (2015). Evaluation of antifungal properties of garlic and onion extracts against fungal pathogens. International Journal of Advanced Research, 3(2), 244-248.

Pundir, R. K., & Pranay, J. (2010). Antifungal activity of twenty-two ethanolic plant extracts against food-associated fungi. Journal of Pharmacy Research, 3(1), 506–510.

Raizada, A., & Khanna, A. (2014). Therapeutic effects of garlic and its constituents. American Journal of Phytomedicine and Clinical Therapeutics, 1(2), 112-118. https://doi.org/10.5138/09750185.2377

Ransey, S., Michael, R. E., & Rothrock, C. (2007). The effect of garlic extract and root substrate on soilborne fungal pathogens. Hortechnology, 17(2), 173.

Subramanian, S., & Choudhury, P. K. (2016). Therapeutic uses of garlic: A review. International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences, 3(4), 195-203. https://doi.org/10.22192/ijarbs.2016.03.04.014

Tolba, Y. H. (2005). Study of some sensory and chemical properties of olive oil from the Roman and Nabali varieties (Doctoral dissertation, Graduate School, Jordan University).

Yashida, S. S., Kasuga, S., Hayashi, N., Ushiroguchi, T., Matsuura, H., & Nakagawaa, S. (1987). Antifungal activity of ajoene derived from garlic. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 66, 615–617.

Zaid, A. I., Ghaffari, H. R., & Othman, Z. A. (2019). The effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on Candida albicans biofilm: An in vitro study. Journal of Mycology, 12(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmycolog2020001