Investigating Effects of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Candida albicans Biofilm Formation

Candida albicans is one of the most common fungal pathogens that can form biofilm, particularly on surface of medical devices. In recent years, C. albicans has shown increased resistance to antifungal agents. In this experimental study, we aimed to study effects of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 nanoparticles or SPION) on biofilm formation by C. albicans.
          

First, the SPION were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of SPION were determined. Then, antibiofilm effects of the nanoparticles were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 at significance level of 0.05.
          

According to the results of X-ray diffraction, the SPION had a mean diameter of about 70 nm. MIC and MFC values of SPION against C. albicans were 100 ppm and 200 ppm which reduced biofilm formation by 87.2% and 100%, respectively. SPION showed significant inhibitory effects on C. albicans growth and biofilm formation.
          

Based on the findings, SPION may be considered as a novel family of fungicidal compounds. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the safety of these nanoparticles for treatment of fungal infections in humans.