ANTI-FUNGAL ACTIVITY OF CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLE INCORPORATED LYCOPENE AGAINST Candida albicans USING MINIMAL INHIBITORY CONCENTRATION ASSAY

Background: Recent years have witnessed growth in the research and application of nanoparticles and nanotechnoloy. Lycopene is a red coloured pigment found in fruits and vegetables. Chitosan is a straight chain polymer composed of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. Both the substances possess antifungal activity. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the antifungal activity of lycopene extract, chitosan nanoparticle and lycopene chitosan nanocomposite.

Materials and Methods: Chitosan nanoparticle incorporated lycopene was prepared and its antifungal activity was tested individually and in combination against Candida albicans using minimum inhibitory concentration assay. Chitosan solution was prepared, centrifugation was done and further characterisation of chitosan nanoparticle was done using Ultaviolet-viz-Spectroscopy. The antifungal activity was assessed using minimum inhibitory concentration.

Results: The present study shows that the antifungal effect of chitosan-lycopene nanocomposite was higher than lycopene extract and chitosan nanoparticle individually. The antifungal activity of lycopene chitosan nanocomposite increased with increase in concentration and time.

Conclusion: As the present study showed the effective antifungal activity of lycopene chitosan combination, it can be used against oral candidal lesion and as an adjuvant in periodontal therapy. The increased efficacy of lycopene-chitosan nanocomposite compared to lycopene extract and chitosan nanoparticle has given us a great promise for the future development of the combination into an effective antifungal agent, preferably gel for the treatment of candidal infections and enhancing the periodontal health.

Background: Recent years have witnessed growth in the research and application of nanoparticles and nanotechnoloy. Lycopene is a red coloured pigment found in fruits and vegetables. Chitosan is a straight chain polymer composed of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. Both the substances possess antifungal activity. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the antifungal activity of lycopene extract, chitosan nanoparticle and lycopene chitosan nanocomposite.

Materials and Methods: Chitosan nanoparticle incorporated lycopene was prepared and its antifungal activity was tested individually and in combination against Candida albicans using minimum inhibitory concentration assay. Chitosan solution was prepared, centrifugation was done and further characterisation of chitosan nanoparticle was done using Ultaviolet-viz-Spectroscopy. The antifungal activity was assessed using minimum inhibitory concentration.

Results: The present study shows that the antifungal effect of chitosan-lycopene nanocomposite was higher than lycopene extract and chitosan nanoparticle individually. The antifungal activity of lycopene chitosan nanocomposite increased with increase in concentration and time.

Conclusion: As the present study showed the effective antifungal activity of lycopene chitosan combination, it can be used against oral candidal lesion and as an adjuvant in periodontal therapy. The increased efficacy of lycopene-chitosan nanocomposite compared to lycopene extract and chitosan nanoparticle has given us a great promise for the future development of the combination into an effective antifungal agent, preferably gel for the treatment of candidal infections and enhancing the periodontal health.