Optical Properties and Photodynamic Inactivation of Candida albicans Biofilm Using Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles
Pryandi M. Tabaika1, Ulya Farahdina1, Rini Khamimatul Ula2, Nurul Jadid3, Sri Dewi Astuty4, Nasori Nasori1

1Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Data Analytics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
2Research Center for Physics, Indonesia Institute of Sciences, Building 440, PUSPIPTEK South Tangerang, Indonesia
3Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Data Analytics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
4Department of Physics, Hasanuddin University, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia

Abstract

Biofilms formed by Candida albicans exhibit high resistance to conventional antifungal therapy. This study aims to evaluate the optical characteristics and photodynamic inactivation (PDI) activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using Pogostemon cablin leaf extract. Optical characterization was performed using UV-Vis spectroscopy and bandgap energy analysis. The UV-Vis spectrum showed a maximum absorption peak at 442 nm, while the estimated bandgap energy was 2.31 eV. The photodynamic activity was evaluated against Candida albicans biofilm under blue LED irradiation, and biofilm metabolic activity was quantified using the XTT reduction assay. The results demonstrated that the combination of AgNPs and blue LED irradiation produced a significant inhibition of biofilm viability compared with the control groups. These findings indicate that AgNPs synthesized from Pogostemon cablin leaf extract possess suitable optical properties and have potential as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy against Candida albicans biofilms.

Keywords: Photodynamic Inactivation, Candida Albicans biofilm, Silver Nanoparticles, Green synthesized

Topic: Physical Chemistry