The antifungal activiety of celery herb extracts (Apium Graveolens L.) Against Candida albicans invitro

Introduction : Fungi which most often cause opportunistic mycosis are Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. The estimation of invasive Candida mycosis' annual incidence is 72 to 228 infections per one million populations. Objective : The purpose of this study is to prove the antimicrobial activity of celery herb extracts against Candida albicans invitro by knowing the diameter of inhibition zone, which is caused by the reaction. Methods : The method that is used is the "disc diffusion" by observing inhibition zones, which is caused by the celery herb extract (Apium graveolens L.) concentration and nystatin against Candida albicans. Then the inhibition zone is measure. Results : The obtained result is the formation of inhibition zones with an average diameter of 13.9 mm. On the sensitivity test where nystatin acts as positive controller, an average 29.3 mm inhibition zone is obtained. The diameter of inhibition zone caused by celery herb extracts is smaller than nystatin's. Conclusion : Therefore, it can be concluded that the celery herb extracts has antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro. The inhibition zone, which is produced by celery herb extracts against Candida albicans is intermediate.