Ethanolic Extract of Butterfly Pea Flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) as an Antifungal and Antibiofilm Agent Against Candida albicans ATCC 10231

Abstract

Candida albicans is the leading cause of fungal infections worldwide, with mortality rates reaching up to 60%. Biofilm formation by C. albicans makes infections more difficult to treat and increases resistance to antifungal agents. The ethanolic extract of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) has potential as an antifungal and antibiofilm agent, making it a promising alternative treatment. This study aimed to determine the antifungal and antibiofilm activity of butterfly pea flower ethanolic extract against C. albicans ATCC 10231. The research employed a true experimental method with a post-test only control group design. The antifungal assay used the microdilution method to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC), while the antibiofilm assay used the Microtiter Plate Assay to determine MBIC₅₀ and MBRC₅₀. The concentrations tested were 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/mL, with fluconazole 6.25 µg/mL as the positive control. The results showed an MFC value at 20 mg/mL. The MBIC₅₀ and MBRC₅₀ values were both at 10 mg/mL, with inhibition and reduction percentages of 72.28% and 65.18%, respectively. The ethanolic extract of butterfly pea flower exhibited better antifungal and antibiofilm activity than the positive control fluconazole at 6.25 µg/mL. The ethanolic extract of butterfly pea flower has the potential to be developed as an antifungal and antibiofilm agent.