Fungitoxicity of fatty acids against dermatophytes

Summary. Ten saturated and three unsaturated fatty acids over a wide spectrum of their carbon chain length were tested for their fungitoxicity against five dermatophytes. The experiments showed that short chain saturated fatty acids (C 7:0‐C 11:0) are more toxic to dermatophytes than long chain ones (> C 12:0). The antifungal activity decreases with increasing carbon chain length in the even‐numbered carbon chain series. Odd‐numbered carbon fatty acids show irregularities in these respects. Undecanoic acid (C11:0) is outstandingly most toxic in the C7:0‐C18:0 series. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are more toxic than their corresponding saturated acids. The per cent growth inhibition decreased from day 4 to day 12 at all concentrations suggesting the degradation and/or utilization of fatty acids by the fungi during the observation period. The results are discussed on the background of the biochemistry of fatty acids.

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