Antifungal, Antioxidant and Antibiofilm Activities of Essential Oils of Cymbopogon spp.

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) of <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> and <i>Cymbopogon proximus</i> are known as sources of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenoids, although their biological activities have not been well investigated. In this study, the compositions of <i>C. citratus</i> and <i>C. proximus</i> EOs of Egyptian origin and their antifungal and antibiofilm properties against <i>Candida</i> spp. and <i>Malassezia furfur</i> were investigated. Antioxidant activities were also evaluated. GC-MS showed the presence of nine and eight constituents in <i>C. citratus</i> and <i>C. proximus</i> EOs, respectively, with geranial and neral as the major compounds of <i>C. citratus</i> EO and piperitone and α-terpinolene as the major compounds of <i>C. proximus</i> EO. Both EOs showed antifungal (MIC values ranging from 1.25 to 20 µL/ mL) and antibiofilm activities (% of reduction ranging from 27.65 ± 11.7 to 96.39 ± 2.8) against all yeast species. The antifungal and antibiofilm activities of <i>C. citratus</i> EO were significantly higher than those observed for <i>C. proximus</i> EO. <i>M. furfur</i> was more susceptible to both EOs than <i>Candida</i> spp. Both EOs exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. This study suggests that <i>C. citratus</i> and <i>C. proximus</i> EOs might be an excellent source of antifungal, antibiofilm and antioxidant drugs and might be useful for preventing <i>Malassezia</i> infections in both medical and veterinary medicine.