"Abstract:


Background: Pathogens that cause fungal infections such as Candida are widespread and may affect the skin and mucosal surface or even cause systemic infection. Zingiber officinale and Syzygium aromaticum have various bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and other secondary metabolites that act remarkably on parasites and pathogens including Candida species. This research aimed to assess the combined antifungal activity of different extracted fractions of Zingiber officinale and Syzygium aromaticum against different candida isolates.

Methodology: This was laboratory based experimental study involved disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods on candida isolates conducted at CUHAS-MPL in Mwanza for period of one month.

Result: A total of 4 candida species, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida auris and Candida krusei were used in a triplicate. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 0.8mg/ml for clove and 1.6mg/ml for ginger. The combined mixture of clove and ginger has shown the greatest inhibition with mean inhibition zones of 16.6 mm which is greater as compared with 12.26 mm for clove, 11 mm for ginger and 12 mm for fluconazole. Synergism was observed in all candida species with MIC of 0.2mg/ml to 0.4mg/ml in combination of clove and ginger oil.

Conclusion:  In accordance with the results of this study both clove and ginger essential oil possesses significant antifungal activity. Generally, the combination of clove and ginger essential oils shows much more superior antifungal activity as compare to individual essential oils."