Comparison of the Antifungal and Antibacterial Effects of Cloves and Fluconazole Solution on Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans Colonies

Background and Aim :

 Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans are common microorganisms that cause infection in the form of caries and candidiasis.The aim of this study was to compare the antifungal and antibacterial effects of clove extract and fluconazole solution on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans.

 In this laboratory study were used Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 35668) and Candida albicans (ATCC 5027). Clove extract was prepared in concentrations of 6/25 -12/5 -25-50 -100. Then 10 mg of fluconazole powder was dissolved in methanol and brought to the desired volume and inoculated separately into wells in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar culture medium for Candida albicans and Mitis Salivarius Agar  for Streptococcus mutans. After 24-48 hours, the minimum inhibitory concentration and diameter of their growth inhibition zone were determined. The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests.

 The mean diameter of the non-growth halo of Streptococcus mutans in the vicinity of clove extract had a significant difference (p<0.001). And in fluconazole solution, no growth halo diameter was observed against Streptococcus mutans bacteria. The halo diameter of Candida albicans fungus was not observed in different concentrations of clove extract. But in the solution of fluconazole, there was an average diameter of the halo of non-growth against this fungus.

Clove extract has high antibacterial activity, but no evidence of antifungal effect was found in clove extract.