The Moss Rhodobryum ontariense Tea, a Good Source of Natural Antifungals Against Candida albicans

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of the moss Rhodobryum ontariense tea was evaluated by microdilution method against eight bacterial (Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogens, Micrococcus flavus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus) and eight fungal species (Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus versicolor, Candida albicans, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium ochrochloron and Trichoderma viride). The investigated water extract was proven to be active against all the bacteria and majority of the fungi tested, but to varying degrees. E. cloacae was the most sensitive bacterium (MIC 0.62 mg/mL and MBC 2.50 mg/mL while C. albicans was the most sensitive micro fungus (MIC 0.20 mg/mL and MFC 1.00 mg/mL). On the other hand, at tested concentration the extract did not show any activity against the fungi A. fumigatus and A. niger. These findings indicated a good potential of R. ontariense tea in searching for new antifungals against C. albicans, the fungus which have become a cause of major health concerns in hospital due to hospital-acquired infections.