Fungicidal effect of lemongrass essential oil on Candida albicans biofilm pre-established on maxillofacial silicone specimens

Aims: This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oil in eradicating Candida albicans biofilm pre-established on the maxillofacial silicone specimens. Materials and Methods: Two maxillofacial silicones, namely, MDX4-4210 and Multisil Epithetik, were used for the fabrication of 6 mm diameter disks (n = 21 for each brand of silicone). A 48-h mature C. albicans ATCC 10231 biofilm was pre-established on sterile silicone specimen. These disks were then exposed to various concentrations of lemongrass essential oil ranging from 0.31% to 5% (v/v), 20% (v/v) nystatin, and RPMI-1640 medium for 18-20 h. After exposure, the remaining viable fungal biofilm was examined by the XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide]-reduction assay. All data were analyzed by using a regression coefficient and a post hoc Tukey HSD multiple comparisons test (α = 0.05). Results: Different brands of silicone used for fabrication did not significantly affect the formation of mature C. albicans biofilm (P =0.302). A 5% (v/v) lemongrass essential oil significantly eliminated fungal biofilm by approximately 95% (P =0.031). However, less than 50% of the fungal biofilm was eliminated by the tested oil at a concentration as low as 0.31% (v/v). Furthermore, the fungicidal efficacy against C. albicans biofilm of lemongrass essential oil at 2.5% (v/v) was as potent as that of 20% (v/v) nystatin suspension (P = 0.99). Conclusion: Lemongrass essential oil expressed fungicidal effect on C. albicans biofilm pre-established on the disks fabricated from different brands of silicone. Additionally, the fungicidal effectiveness of the oil against the mature fungal biofilm was dose-dependent.