Antifungal Activities of Virgin Coconut Oil on Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Mould Species

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance, coupled with the availability of fewer antifungal agents with fungicidal actions, prompted this study to determine the effectiveness of virgin coconut oil as an antifungal agent on these species (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Mould species). Their susceptibilities to virgin coconut oil and Griseofulvin were studied by using the well in agar diffusion technique. Candida albicans showed the highest susceptibility to coconut oil on the SDA plate, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5mg/ml (1:8 dilution) in the broth, while Griseofulvin had 100% susceptibility on the C. albicans plate, with MIC of 14.29mg/ml (1:7 dilution) in the broth. Mould species showed high susceptibility (100%) to coconut oil on the Mould plate, with an MIC of 16.67mg/ml (1:6 dilution), while Griseofulvin had an MIC of 14.29mg/ml on the Mouldspecies. Aspergillus niger showed a high resistance to the virgin coconut oil both on the SDA plate and in the broth, while Griseofulvin showed activities on the A. niger plate with MIC of 20mg/ml in the broth. It is noteworthy that coconut oil was active against species of Candida albicans at 12.50mg/ml concentration compared to Griseofulvin. Coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species. Virgin coconut oil should be used for the treatment of fungal infections like Candidiasis and to prevent the spoilage of food substances by Mould species