Disinfectant activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of Achyrocline satureioides (Asteraceae) on Candida spp. isolated in problem-situations of bovine mastitis

This work was prompted by the phenomenon of yeasts’ resistance to antifungals, and the need for sanitation products for use in livestock farming in the agroecological model. The objectives were to undertake a qualitative phytochemical analysis of, and assess the antimicrobial/disinfectant action of, the crude hydroalcoholic extract [weight:volume of 5g:100 mL (50 mg mL)] of flowers of Achyrocline satureioides on standard Candida albicans (ATCC 14053) and isolates of cases of bovine mastitis: C. albicans (n = 1) , C. krusei (n = 21) and C. rugosa (n = 9). The test was that of suspension, the lineages in three population densities (PD): 105 , 104 and 103CFU mL, at contact times (CT) of 15 and 30 minutes and from 1 up to 10 hours. Activity results were influenced by the PD and CT variables, with all yeasts inactivated. For example, at the highest PD: the standard strain was inactivated in the reading at 1 hr; of the clinical isolates, C. albicans was inactivated in the reading at 3 hrs; seven isolates of C. krusei at 30 minutes and the other 14 at 1 hr; seven isolates of C. rugosa were inactivated in the reading at 4 hrs, with the others inactivated at 10 hrs. Phytochemicals identified were phenolic compounds, tannins, condensed tannins and flavonoids. The evidence observed suggests the extract’s potential for use on sources of infection in disinfection/antisepsis procedures, or in formulations which serve as a vehicle.