Comparison of the antifungal effect of microbial chondroitin sulfate on various Candida strains using different antimicrobial test methods

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is an essential component of the cell surface and extracellular matrix. It is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) composed of repeating disaccharide units of N-acetylgalactosamine and glucuronic acid. It is widely used in medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetics. In this thesis, the usability of Microbial CS, which we produced from recombinant E. coli (C2987) strain using biotechnological methods, was investigated as an antifungal agent in treating fungal infections. For this purpose, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida krusei were studied, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values were determined for each species. In conclusion, Microbial CS has shown significant antifungal activity against most yeast strains. Vaginal flora is a complex microbiota of more than 250 microorganisms, of which ∼75% is Lactobacillus, and ∼25% is other microorganisms. The deterioration of the natural environment here for various reasons also disrupts the structure of GAGs in the vaginal tissue, making it vulnerable to infectious pathogens. Microbial CS has the potential to be an important antifungal agent due to its biocompatible, nontoxic, and antiallergic properties and as a polyanionic polymer. Microbial CS, whose antifungal activity was determined as a result of our study, will both support the GAG structure in the vaginal connective tissue and prevent possible Candidal infections that may occur here. The results of the antifungal tests we performed showed that the inhibitory effect of Microbial CS was more substantial against C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. krusei, followed by C. tropicalis. As a result, Microbial CS we produce can support the GAG structure in the vaginal connective tissue and prevent Candidal infections.