Antifungal efficiency of different forms of tea extract (Camellia sinensis) against Candida albicans: An in vitro experimental study

Aim: The present study investigated the efficacy of Camellia sinensis regarding its antifungal activity toward Candida albicans and compared the various forms such as Japanese green tea, Chinese Oolong tea, Sabha black tea, and Sri Lanka black tea in relation to their antifungal property toward C. albicans. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, the C. albicans were grown and maintained in their respective agar. Four different concentrations of 500 mg/mL and 250 mg/mL aqueous solution; 250 mg/mL ethanolic solution and 250 mg/mL methanolic solutions were prepared from four different forms of C. sinensis such as Japanese green tea, Oolong Chinese tea, Sabah black tea, and Sri Lanka black tea. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method determined the activity of tea. The standard drug of Nystatin 100 IU (international units) was used as the positive control. After an incubation period of 48 h at 37ºC, the zone of inhibition was measured in millimeters. Results: Japanese green tea at its aqueous concentrations of 500 mg/mL and 250 mg/mL exhibited significantly higher mean zone of inhibition of 20.63 mm and 20.92 mm, respectively against C. albicans at P < 0.001. However, a mean zone of inhibition of 21.26 mm was shown by positive control Nystatin. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Japanese green tea showed higher antifungal activity against C. albicans in comparison to black teas.