Methods: The gum extracted from the bark of C. formosum was investigated for antifungal property against different strains of C. albicans, including ATCC 10238 and 2 clinical isolates. Inhibition of growth was primarily tested by agar diffusion method. A two-fold broth dilution method was then used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the gum.
Results: C. formosum gum was effective against C. albicans with the zones of inhibition ranging from 8.0 to 9.3 mm and MIC values between 0.50 and 1.25 mg/mL.
Conclusions: The observed antimicrobial property of C. formosum gum against many strains of C. albicans signifies a promising candidate of this gum as an antifungal agent for the treatment of candidal infection.