Evaluation the Antifungal Activity of the Alcoholic Extract of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L) Plant Against Fungal Isolates Obtained from the Mouths of Infants in Ramadi City

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of the alcoholic extract of carob ( Ceratonia siliqua L) plant against fungal isolates obtained from the mouths of infants in Ramadi City . Between September and December 1, 2024, a hundred oral swabs were taken from newborns at the Women and Children’s Hospitals in Ramadi. Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata were distinguished. In a well diffusion study, carob extract’s anti-fungal activity at2%,5%, and 10% concentrations was contrasted with that of the gold standard antifungal medicine, Nystatin. At a 10% concentration, the carob extract showed a strong inhibitory action against every type of Candida, with a specific inhibition zones of 14.84 ± 0.78 mm against Candida albicans . Carob extract demonstrated excellent sensitivity to Nystatin-resistant Candida glabrata , suggesting it may be useful as an alternate treatment for such infections. Methyl esters and siloxanes were among the bioactive chemicals discovered by phytochemical GC-MS analysis; these compounds may have a role in the antifungal activity. Isolation, extraction, as well as genetic amplifying were all successful because electrophoresis revealed the presence of Candida species in each of the samples tested. These results indicate that the extract of C. siliqua has potential as an antifungal agent with a natural remedy for newborn oral candidiasis. To determine the safety and effectiveness of the active chemicals in clinical settings, as well as to identify and define them, additional research is needed.