Eugenol, an essential oil of clove, causes disruption to the cell wall of Candida albicans (ATCC 14053)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of eugenol on the integrity of the cell wall of Candida albicans. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) and percentage inhibition of diameter growth (PIDG) of eugenol on C. albicans (ATCC 14053) were determined. The effect of eugenol on the growth profile was also evaluated. The release of cellular material and changes in cell permeability, including ultrastructural alterations to the morphology, were assessed using scanning electron microscopy, and surface disruption to the cell wall structure of C. albicans by atomic force microscopy. The MIC and MFC values of eugenol were found to be 1.0% v/v, while the PIDG was dose dependent. Eugenol influenced cell growth and was fungicidal towards C. albicans. Eugenol was also found to encourage cell leakage, causing the release of cellular material, and to increase cell permeability. The ultrastructure and cell surface morphology were also altered by the presence of eugenol. Thus, eugenol was found to disrupt the cell wall of C. albicans.