Investigation of the biochemical effects of nanoparticle titanium dioxide and zinc oxide on the development of pathogenic Candida albicans

In this study, the effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO), which have nanoparticle properties and antifungal properties, against H2O2 on C.albicans (ATCC90028), a pathogenic fungus species, were studied. In the study protocol, the groups were arranged as control, H2O2, TiO2, ZnO, TiO2+H2O2 and ZnO+H2O2 groups. 100 L of 35% hydrogen peroxide solution was added to H2O2, TiO2+H2O2 and ZnO+ H2O2 groups. Cultures were incubated for 72 hours at 30°C. The culture density was then measured at 600 nm and the cell pellets were collected by centrifugation. The cell pellet was extracted with buffer solutions and organic solvents and biochemical analyzes were performed. In our findings, it was observed that the addition of hydrogen peroxide decreased the cell density and pellet amount of C.albicans (ATCC90028). It was determined that total protein, GSH and GSSG levels, and catalase and GST activities increased in groups given H2O2. It was determined that the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the C. albicans culture medium affected the synthesis of lipophilic vitamins and phytosterols. It was determined that the addition of TiO2 and ZnO to the culture medium together with H2O2 increased the amounts of these molecules. While the amount of palmitic acid in the fatty acid composition decreased partially in the TiO2+H2O2 group, a significant increase was observed in the ZnO group. It was determined that the ratio of stearic acid and total saturated fatty acid decreased in the groups given TiO2, ZnO and H2O2 compared to the control group. On the other hand, increases were observed in the total unsaturated fatty acid ratio. An increase in the amount of palmitoleic acid, one of the fatty acids with single double bonds, and a decrease in the amount of oleic acid, which is the other single double bonded fatty acid, were determined. It was determined that C. albicans has a high content of Linolenic acid, one of the 18 C fatty acids, in its cell structure. Keywords: Candida albicans, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Catalase, Glutathione S Transferase, Lipophilic vitamins, Fatty acids