Eficácia antifúngica do óleo essencial de Citrus sinensis contra Candida albicans no ambiente odontológico. Estudo in vitro

Introduction: This study focuses on the antifungal effectiveness of Citrus sinensis essential oil against Candida albicans, a common fungal infection in the oral cavity. Objective: To analyze the efficacy of Citrus sinensis essential oil against C. albicans at different concentrations. Methodology: A microbiological analysis using different concentrations of Citrus sinensis essential oil and the evaluation of its effect by measuring inhibition halos were included. Non- parametric statistical methods, such as the Kruskal-Wallis test, were applied to analyze the relationship between the concentration of the oil and its antifungal efficacy. Results: It was shown that, although Citrus sinensis oil did not present statistically significant differences in its antifungal activity at the different concentrations, an increasing trend in efficacy was observed as the concentration increased. This suggests that its use at higher concentrations could be beneficial in complementary treatments. Conclusion: Citrus sinensis essential oil could be considered as a complementary option in the treatment of fungal infections, but more research is needed to understand its synergy with other oils and its application in dentistry.