EFFECT OF BIOSYNTHESIZED COPPER NANOPARTICLES (CuNPs) ON THE GROWTH AND BIOFILM FORMATION OF FLUCONAZOLE-RESISTANT CANDIDA ALBICANS

Abstract

Biosynthesized copper nanoparticles through extracellular method were employed in this study to evaluate their effect on fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. MIC and MBC of CuNPs against C. albicans was 2.5 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml respectively, giving a tolerance level of 2. This was followed by absorbance measurements (OD600) to further confirm the growth inhibiting effect of CuNPs in liquid culture. Furthermore, the well-plate method was performed to check the antifungal activity of two different concentrations of CuNPs (5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml) against C. albicans by observing the zones of inhibition and fluconazole (25 µg/ml) was used as a control. Static biofilm assay was performed to check whether the CuNPs were able to inhibit the formation of biofilm by C. albicans which was further analyzed through spectrophotometric measurements. Growth curve analysis showed the inhibitory effect of CuNPs on C. albicans at different time intervals. The results from the current investigation suggested that the CuNPs were effective in controlling the fluconazole-resistant C. albicans and can be utilized as alternative antifungal agents.