FUNGICIDAL ACTION OF CAPRYLIC ACID FOR CANDIDA ALBICANS

II. POSSIBLE MECHANISMS OF THE ACTION

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In order to explain the mechanism of fungicidal action of caprylic acid against C. albicans, electron microscopic studies were initially carried out, and the effects of the acid on the oxidative and dehydrogenase activity of the organism were further investigated.
The peculiar numerous electron transparent areas (ETA), which were believed to being produced by the lytic action of caprylic acid, were developed in the cells treated with higher concentrations of the acid. On the other hand, the respiratory metabolism and dehydrogenase activity, whether or not the cells had been disrupted by press, were completely inhibited by the acid at the same concentrations.
From these facts, it can be assumed that caprylic acid acts on some surface components of the yeast cells, as a surface active agent, by combining with enzyme proteins which are essential to metabolism and growth. This is follow-ed by the destruction of their activities. With this mechanism, intracellular components may be released to the outside of the cells by the lytic action of caprylic acid.