UJI BANDING EFEKTIVITAS VIRGIN COCONUT OIL DENGAN KETOKONAZOL 2% SECARA IN VITRO TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN Candida albicans

Abstract

Background : Candida albicans, an extremely widespread yeast, is the major cause of candidiasis. Virgin coconut oil consist of fatty acids which were shown to have antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans. Ketoconazole inhibits hepatic cytochrome P450 isozymes so that ergosterol synthesis is blocked and fungal cell membrane damage is occurred. The aim of the study is to investigate the possible antimicrobial activity of virgin coconut oil against Candida albicans by comparing them with the antimicrobial activity of 2% ketoconazole. Method : The study is a laboratory experimental design. The samples consist of 31 Candida albicans isolates. One C.albicans strain is obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC 10231), the others are recent clinical isolates which is isolated from cervical swab and identified by germ tube test. The antimicrobial activity is determined with the disc diffusion method. Result : Research was resulted that virgin coconut oil can not inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Conclusion : Virgin coconut oil is not effective in inhibitting the growth of Candida albicans in vitro. Keyword : Candida albicans, virgin coconut oil, ketoconazole