One-Pot Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Nontoxic Silver-Loaded Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites against Candida Species

The impact of fungal diseases and the development of antimicrobial agents against pathogenic fungi have emerged as a main global healthcare challenge. In this study, the antifungal activity of silver-loaded hydroxyapatite (Ag/HAP) nanocomposites (NCs) with different Ag content synthesized by a one-pot microwave-assisted solvothermal method was evaluated against sensitive and resistant Candida species. The NCs’ composition and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis. Antifungal studies were conducted by a microdilution method according to a protocol from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The main inhibitory effect was observed against Candida krusei, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 31.2 μg/mL, followed by Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto and Candida tropicalis (62.5 μg/mL) and C...