Novel mixture of chloroxylenol and copper alters Candida albicans biofilm formation, biochemical characteristics, and morphological features

Abstract

ABSTRACT The use of disinfectants has drastically increased in response to the growing public awareness of risks of microbial infection. However, this practice has a negative impact on the environment as it results in dumping large volumes of antimicrobial and microbicidal compounds in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Chloroxylenol (PCMX) is a phenolic compound that poses public health and environmental risks art high concentrations. Here, a novel disinfectant was proposed to increase the lethality of PCMX by adding copper (Cu) to it. However, it was necessary to demonstrate that this mixture is fungicidal and not merely fungistatic, and that the addition of Cu does, in fact, increase PCMX lethality. We evaluated the fungicidal efficacy of PCMX/Cu on Candida albicans. PCMX/Cu synergy was explored on biofilm formation, biochemistry, and morphology of C. albicans. Inhibition increased with PCMX increased concentration. The combination of Cu and PCMX disrupted fungal ultrastructure, biofilm formation, and biochemical characteristic.