Antifungal Activity of Peruvian Banana Peel (Musa paradisiaca L.) on Candida albicans: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the antifungal activity of three concentrations of a hydroethanolic extract of the Musa × paradisiaca peel against Candida albicans strain ATCC 10231.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The agar diffusion method was used, and the culture medium used was Sabouraud agar. Petri dishes were prepared with concentrations of 10, 30, and 50% of hydroethanolic extract of the M. × paradisiaca peel; nystatin was used as a positive control, and 96% ethanol was used as a negative control. After 24 hours of incubation, each plate was examined, and the diameters (mm) of the growth inhibition halos were measured around each well using a digital vernier caliper.

RESULTS

The results showed that the antifungal activity of the extract varied, depending on the concentration, as shown using analysis of variance (ANOVA; p < 0.05). When comparing the different concentrations, it was found by Duncan test that the greatest activity was obtained at 50%.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the hydroethanolic extract of M. × paradisiaca at 50% exerted a greater antifungal effect on the strain of C. albicans than did the extract at lower concentrations.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: By knowing the antimicrobial effect of M. × paradisiaca, this substance can be effectively used in products aimed to cure candidiasis infection.