Antifungal activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit extract against Candida albicans

Morinda citrifolia was claimed to have antimicrobial properties against several microorganisms. However, there were few documented reports regarding antifungal activity on Candida albicans. Objective: To investigate the antifungal activity of M. citrifolia fruit extract on C. albicans (ATCC 43718). Materials and methods: Juice extract from M. citrifolia fruit was lyophilized and used in antifungal testing. Antifungal activity of M. citrifolia fruit extract against C. albicans was tested in vitro at various concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mg/ml) and contact times (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 min). The inhibitory effect of M. citrifolia extract on C. albicans was determined by cultures and applied broth dilution test. Results: By cultures, no growth of C. albicans was observed with 50 mg/ml of extract at 30 min contact time or with 60 mg/ml of extract at 15 min contact time. By broth dilution test, the minimum fungicidal concentration of extract against C. albicans was 40 mg/ml at 90 min contact time or with 50 mg/ml at 15 min contact time. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that M. citrifolia fruit extract had an antifungal effect on C. albicans and the inhibitory effect varied with concentration and contact time.