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Antifungal Potential of Botanical Compounds

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 218

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Human Nutrition and Dietetics Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
2. Departamento de Estadística e Investigación Operativa Aplicadas y Calidad. Universitat Politècnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: fungi; molecules; interactions; plant
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fungal species play diverse roles in natural ecosystems, but their unchecked proliferation can lead to significant ecological and industrial challenges. Managing fungal growth has become a priority across various sectors, including agriculture, food preservation, and others. Botanical compounds, with their vast chemical diversity and unique bioactive properties, have garnered attention for their antifungal potential. Derived from plant secondary metabolites, these compounds offer an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to synthetic antifungals, often demonstrating broad-spectrum activity against fungal growth and biofilm formation.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, titled "Antifungal Potential of Botanical Compounds", aims to highlight innovative research into the molecular mechanisms, structural characteristics, and applications of plant-derived compounds as antifungal agents. We seek contributions that explore the discovery, isolation, and characterization of botanical antifungals, as well as studies investigating their stability, formulations, and interactions with fungal systems. Contributions addressing technological advancements in harnessing these compounds, including novel delivery systems and biotechnological applications, are particularly welcome. 

We invite researchers to contribute their work to this Special Issue and share insights that advance the understanding and utilization of botanical compounds in antifungal applications. 

Dr. Francisca Sempere-Ferre
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • botanical compounds
  • antifungal agents
  • natural products
  • secondary metabolites
  • fungal growth inhibition
  • bioactive plant extracts
  • eco-friendly antifungals
  • natural product chemistry
  • sustainable antifungal solutions
  • plant-derived bioactives

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

22 pages, 1313 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Antifungal Properties, Chemical Composition, and Frontier Molecular Orbital Analysis of Essential Oils from Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime, Lime, Dill, and Shatavari Against Malassezia furfur
by Sarin Tadtong, Rada Chantavacharakorn, Sarocha Khayankan, Puriputt Akachaipaibul, Wanna Eiamart and Weerasak Samee
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5601; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125601 - 11 Jun 2025
Abstract
This study explores the chemical composition and synergistic anti-fungal properties of essential oils from the aerial parts of Satavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.), Dill (Anethum graveolens L.), and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf), along with the peels of Lime (Citrus aurantifolia [...] Read more.
This study explores the chemical composition and synergistic anti-fungal properties of essential oils from the aerial parts of Satavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.), Dill (Anethum graveolens L.), and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf), along with the peels of Lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.)) and Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix DC), as well as the leaves of Citrus hystrix DC, against Malassezia furfur, a yeast linked to dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified key volatile compounds within these oils. In vitro anti-fungal assays evaluated their efficacy individually and in combinations using checkerboard dilution techniques to assess synergy. Results indicated significant antifungal activity, with lemongrass exhibiting the strongest effect (MIC of 0.125% v/v). Notably, a 1:1 combination of lemongrass and kaffir lime essential oils showed synergism, reducing the MIC to 0.0625% v/v. The antifungal activity was primarily attributed to citral and citronellal, with MICs of 0.03125% v/v and 0.125% v/v, respectively. Molecular orbital analysis revealed that the higher energy levels of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) in citral correlate with greater antifungal efficacy, likely due to its enhanced electrophilicity, facilitating nucleophilic interactions with M. furfur’s cellular components. These findings highlight potential applications of essential oil combinations in antifungal therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antifungal Potential of Botanical Compounds)
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