The antifungal action of three South African honeys on Candida albicans

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antifungal action of three single samples of South African honey (wasbessie, bluegum and fynbos) against Candida albicans. Various dilutions of honey were prepared in brain-heart infusion broth, ranging in concentration from 0 to 25% (w/w). This was inoculated with C. albicans, while a hypertonic sugar solution served as a control. All dilutions were incubated overnight and the optical density was measured in a spectrophotometer. The sugar control and the 3 honey samples stimulated the growth of C. albicans and was optimal between 2.5% and 5%. Increased honey concentrations resulted in reduced growth of C. albicans; wasbessie honey at a concentration of 25% demonstrated 29.4% inhibition on the growth of C. albicans, while the control, bluegum and fynbos honey produced only partial inhibition.