COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM CITRUS SPECIES EXTRACTS AGAINST CANDIDA ALBICANS AT VARYING CONCENTRATIONS

ABSTRACT The increasing resistance of Candida albicans to conventional antifungal agents, coupled with the high morbidity and mortality rates, is a global concern. This study evaluated the antimicrobial potential of bioactive compounds from the peels of Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantium, Citrus limon, Citrus tangerine, and Citrus paradisi. Soxhlet extraction with ethanol and hexane, followed by Gas Chromatography analysis, identified key fatty acids in the extracts. Antimicrobial activity against MRSA, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans was assessed using agar well diffusion, MIC, and MBC/MFC tests. The results showed that Citrus lemon exhibited the highest inhibition, with a maximum zone of 17 mm, followed by Citrus sinensis (16 mm), Citrus paradisii (16 mm), and Citrus tangerine (12 mm) at the highest concentrations. Citrus aurantium demonstrated consistent inhibition at higher concentrations, though its activity decreased at lower concentrations. Citrus sinensis and Citrus paradisii showed a gradual reduction in inhibition as concentrations decreased, with no inhibition observed at the lowest concentrations. In contrast, Citrus tangerine exhibited smaller inhibition zones, while Citrus aurantium maintained inhibition at all but the lowest concentrations. The findings highlighted Citrus lemon and Citrus aurantium as the most potent antifungal agents against Candida albicans, with Citrus aurantium showing stable activity at higher concentrations. It is recommended that further studies explore the active compounds in Citrus aurantium to optimize its antifungal potential. Keywords: Citrus lemon, Citrus aurantium, antifungal agents, Candida albicans, potent, active compounds.