IN VITRO INHIBITORY TEST OF CITRONELLA ESSENTIAL OIL (Cymbopogon nardus) AGAINST THE FUNGAL Candida albicans ATCC 10231 CAUSATIVE AGENT OF CANDIDIASIS DISEASE

Abstract

The citronella plant is a plant that is believed to have many benefits for health.  This citronella plant produces essential oil which is usually used as an antifungal. This study aims to determine the potential of essential oils in inhibiting Candida albicans, to know the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of citronella essential oil, and to determine the Lethal Concentration 50 (LC₅₀) of citronella essential oil. This study used a complete randomized design with four replicates. Treatment of essential oil inhibition test by disc diffusion method on Saboraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) media with essential oil concentrations of 5% (v/v), 10% (v/v), 15% (v/v), 20% (v/v), and 25% (v/v). The data obtained was then analyzed using ANOVA and coupled with the Duncan test. The results of the study showed that the data of all concentration treatments of citronella essential noodles had a significantly different effect (P <0.05).