Abstract
Benzylisothiocyanate (BIT) is a steam distillable volatile oil which is a constituent of the Salvadora persica root. The effect of BIT on the growth and acid production of Candida albicans was investigated. Various concentrations of BIT prepared with Sabouraud's dextrose broth were inoculated with C. albicans and incubated at 37 degree C. Growth was determined by optical density (OD) at 560 nm wavelength measured at specific intervals over a period of 24 h. C. albicans cells were used as a non-growing cell suspension in a buffer solution of 40 mM NaHCO sub(3) and 6 mM K sub(2)HPO sub(4) to which various concentrations of BIT were added. Acid production was stimulated by the addition of 1% glucose. The data obtained showed that BIT was fungistatic at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 mu g/ml and fungicidal at 1.0 mu g/ml. Acid production of C. albicans was inhibited at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 mu g/ml. The results substantiate the findings of previous studies suggesting that BIT may be an agent for controlling oral and dental diseases.