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.