Fifteen Candida isolates were included, corresponding to clinical and collection type strains. Essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and its composition analysed by GC/MS. Activity upon planktonic cells was evaluated according to M27-A3 macromethod. Its effect upon 24 h preformed biofilm biomass was determined using the crystal violet procedure and the metabolic activity was studied applying the XTT/menadione technique.
Biofilm biomass and metabolic activity of all tested species were reduced up to 50%at MIC values. The effect was more pronounced at double MIC values, achieving >80%reduction, except for Candida albicans that presented a more resistant profile (62%).
Thymbra capitata essential oil presented an important effect upon Candida biofilms. It is proposed as a valuable antifungal product to be used in an appropriate pharmaceutical formulation for the management of resistant mucocutaneous candidosis.