Lactobacillus acidophilus Probiotic Inhibits the Growth of Candida albicans

Candida albicans is the most common organism causing oral candidiasis. Drug resistance to synthetic antifungal medication is becoming a problem in the treatment of oral candidiasis, especially in immunocompromised patients.Probiotic has been known for its health benefits. It produces lactic acid and bacteriocin that has antibacterial effect. Research focuses on antifungal effect of probiotic, escpecially for C. albicans is still needed. Objective: To determinethe inhibition effect of probiotic in the growth of C. albicans. Methods: Three concentrations of Lactobacillus acidophilus-containing probiotic (McFarland 6, 8, 10) were used to determine their inhibition effect on C. albicans (McFarland 0.5) growing in trypticase yeast-extract cystine (TYC) agar. The inhibition effect of probiotic was determined by measuring the inhibition zone produced after 48 hours of culture. Difference in inhibition zone among experimental groups was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and LSD post-test. Results: Probiotic with McFarland 10 had the highest inhibition effect against C. albicans and the difference to other experimental groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: L. acidophilus probiotic has inhibition effect in the growth of C. albicans.DOI: 10.14693/jdi.v20i3.19