In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Equol against Candida albicans

In this study, we demonstrate that equol has fungicidal activities against Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations of equol against C. albicans were 516 and 1,032 microM, respectively. Two separate viability assays found that equol changed the integrity of the C. albicans cell membrane, possibly by formation of membrane lesions. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated ultrastructural changes.

In vitro Antifungal Activity of Limonene against Trichophyton rubrum

In this study, the antifungal activities of limonene against Trichophyton rubrum were evaluated via broth microdilution and vapor contact assays. In both assays, limonene was shown to exert a potent antifungal effect against T. rubrum. The volatile vapor of limonene at concentrations above 1 microl/800 ml air space strongly inhibited the growth of T. rubrum. The MIC value was 0.5% v/v in the broth microdilution assay. The antifungal activity of limonene against T. rubrum was characterized as a fungicidal effect.

In vitro Activity of Celery Essential Oil against Malassezia furfur

Antifungal activity of celery essential oil against Malassezia furfur was investigated using broth microdilution and vapor contact methods. Potent antifungal activity was evident using both methods. Fungicidal activity was revealed in the vapor contact method.

Antifungal Activity of Clove Essential Oil and its Volatile Vapour Against Dermatophytic Fungi

Antifungal activities of clove essential oil and its volatile vapour against dermatophytic fungi including Candida albicans, Epidermophyton floccosum. Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum were investigated. Both clove essential oil and its volatile vapour strongly inhibit spore germination and mycelial growth of the dermatophytic fungi tested. The volatile vapour of clove essential oil showed fungistatic activity whereas direct application of clove essential oil showed fungicidal activity.

Antifungal Activity and Inhibitory Modes of Volatile Vapours of Essential Oils

Antifungal activities of volatile vapours of essential oils were investigated. Volatile vapours of test essential oils except Cedar-wood and Pachouri showed inhibitory activity against test fungi. Volatile vapours of Birch essential oils exhibited fungistatic activity against dermatophytic filamentous fungi while others did fungicidal activity. Spores of dermatophytic filamentous fungi are more susceptible to volatile vapours of essential oils than mycelia.

Fungistatic Activity of Kojic Acid Against Human Pathogenic Fungi and Inhibition of Melanin-production in Cryptococcus neoformans

Kojic acid was investigated for its antifungal activity against the human pathogenic fungi including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Trichophyton rubrum. For C. albicans, C. neoformans and T. rubrum, the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of kojic acid was 640, 80 and 160 microg/ml, respectively. In C. neoformans, melanin-producing yeast, kojic acid-treated nonmelanized cell was more susceptible to magainin than melanized cell, suggesting melanin give a protective function against microbial peptide.

Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) from Pigeon Droppings in Korea

Three hundred and sixty five samples of avian droppings, collected from parks and zoo, were investigated for the occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans in Korea. Thirteen samples were positive for C. neoformans. All isolates were obtained from withered pigeon droppings. Identification and serotyping of isolates were determined by means of serological test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting. All isolates belonged to C. neoformans var. grubbi (serotype A).

In vitro Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Propolis Extract on Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans

The antifungal activities of propolis on Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans were evaluated. In microbroth culture assay, the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of propolis for C. neoformans and C. albicans were 2 and 16 mg/ml, respectively. In propolis-included solid medium assay, the MIC of propolis for C. neoformans and C. albicans were 4 and 16 mg/ml, respectively. Propolis showed fungicidal activity against C. neoformans, whereas propolis possesed fungistatic activity against C. albicans. The MFC (minimum fungicidal concentration) for C. neoformans was 8 mg/ml. Cell morphology of C. neoformans was affected by treatment of propolis. In scanning electron microscope, the appearance of cell rupture was observed.

Molecular Analysis of Exophiala Species Using Molecular Markers

Genetic relatedness of medically important Exophiala species such as E. dermatitidis, E. mansonii, and three E. jeanselmei varieties: jeanselmei, lecanii-corni, and heteromorpha was examined using PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) of ribosomal DNA, M-13, (GTG)5, and nucleotide sequences of ribosomal ITS (internal transcribed space) II regions. Three E. jeanselmei varieties showing distinct band patterns for each DNA markers as well as different nucleotide sequences of ribosomal ITS II regions could be considered as a separate species. E. dermatitidis and E. mansonii demonstrated the identical band patterns of RFLP of ribosomal DNA, M-13, and (GTG)5 markers. However, nucleotides sequences of ribosomal ITS II region were different between these two species.

Estimation of Genetic Variation of Korean Isolates of Phytophthora capsici by Using Molecular Markers

Genetic diversity of 21 Korean Phytophthora capsici isolates was analyzed by using several molecular markers such as random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD), M-13, microsatellite and random amplified microsatellite sequences(RAMS). The overall average similarity coefficient among the isolates was 86% based on the combined data obtained by the molecular markers. No molecular markers were found to be associated with hosts or geographic regions. In addition to RAPD, analysis based on repeated sequences such as (GTG)5, M-13 and RAMS could be used to assess population structure of P. capsici.

Genetic Relatedness of Korean Isolates of Pythium Using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism of PCR Amplified Ribosomal DNA and M-13 Marker

Twenty-five isolates of Pythium species were identi6ed and classified on the basis of RFLP(restriction fragment length polymorphism) of ITS(internal transcribed spacer) region in ribosomal DNA. and M-13 PCR markers. Eight restriction endonucleases were used to investigate the genetic relatedness among isolates P. graminicola and P. arrhenomanes as well as P. aphanidermatum and P. delience produced identical band patterns with all restriction endonucleases used and M-13 markers. P. myriotylum and P. catenulatum also formed tight cluster on the basis of RFLP of ribosomal DNA but produced distinct band pattern with M-13 PCR markers. No intraspecitic variations were observed with RFLP of ITS region in ribosomal DNA. Molecular analysis based on M-13 marker demonstrated that each species produced distinct band patterns. Intraspecific variation of P. ultimum and P. torulosum was observed with M-13 markers.