Date of Completion

2024

Document Type

Research Project

Degree Name

Grade 12

Keywords

Rauwolfia serpentina, Candida albicans, Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion, Nystatin, Antifungal

Abstract

Drug-resistant fungal infections have made it challenging for healthcare professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies to develop cures for fungal infections. Candida albicans, a fungal pathogen, poses a significant impediment in this area.

This study explores the potential of Rauwolfia serpentina seed oil extract as an antifungal agent against Candida albicans. Three (3) varying concentrations of the plant seed oil extract were used in the study, with concentrations of 50%, 75%, and 100%. The positive control utilized in the study was Nystatin while the negative control used was Acetone. The extraction method that was utilized is the Rotary Evaporation Method and the antifungal activity of Rauwolfia serpentina was observed using the Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion test. The susceptibility criteria of Nystatin against Candida albicans was also considered, along with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), to determine the significant difference among the varying concentrations of plant seed oil extract against the fungal species. The findings of the study revealed that Candida albicans exhibited resistance to the seed oil extract of Rauwolfia serpentina despite expectations for antifungal activity. This resistance underscores factors of the different variables of the study such as the species and the mode of action of the plant and fungi, and this highlights the necessity for further research to elucidate the mechanisms involved and explore alternative strategies such as using a different Rauwolfia species for combating Candida albicans infections.

First Advisor

Myra Michelle M. Mojica

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