Chemical Composition and Synergistic Antifungal Properties of Essential Oils from Ginger, Kaffir Lime and Galangal Against Trichophyton interdigitale, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans

This study developed blended essential-oil formulations with antifungal activity against superficial fungal pathogens, including Trichophyton interdigitale, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation from ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), galangal (Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd.), and kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix DC.), with yields of 0.09%, 0.16%, and 0.37% (w/w), respectively. Individual antifungal activities were assessed using the broth dilution method. Galangal and kaffir lime oils exhibited the greatest activity against T. interdigitale (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC], 0.125% v/v), whereas ginger oil was the most effective against C. albicans (MIC, 0.25% v/v). Kaffir lime oil showed the strongest activity against A. niger (MIC, 0.125% v/v). Oil blends were subsequently prepared at ratios of 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1. The most active combinations were ginger–kaffir lime (3:1) against T. interdigitale (MIC, 0.00195% v/v), ginger–kaffir lime (1:3) against C. albicans (MIC, 0.0078% v/v), and galangal–ginger (1:1) against A. niger (MIC, 0.0625% v/v). Mineral oil was the most suitable carrier. The final formulations contained 2.5% blended oil for T. interdigitale and C. albicans and 10% for A. niger. These preliminary findings indicate that blended ginger, galangal, and kaffir lime essential oils may have potential for developing topical antifungal formulations against superficial fungal infections.