In-vitro Characterization and Evaluation of Beta Vulgaris L. Extract Loaded on Chitosan Nanoparticles as Anticandidal and Antibiofilm Activity
Authors:   Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq., Al-Ameri Zahraa A. , Al-Musawi Muna T. ,   Department of Biology, College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq., Alzubaidi Lbeeb Ahmed ,   Environmental and Water Directorate, Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.
Published: January 2025

Background: The most common Candida species, Candida albicans, is one of more than 20 species that may cause candidiasis, an infection that can manifest as a systemic, deep, or superficial, infection. Due to their ability to produce several mechanisms to survive, Candida spp. needed a novel approach to fight them. In this context, nanotechnology is presented as an effective technique used to treat such pathogens.
Objectives: This study investigates the preparation of the green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs), using red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. extract [BVE]) loaded on chitosan and the estimation of their anticandidal and antibiofilm activity against drug-resistant Candida species. This novel strategy possibly addresses the problems caused by Candida species, such as antibiotic resistance and biofilm development, using the synergistic antibacterial qualities of plant extract and the biocompatible nature nanoparticles
Methods: Extremely drug-resistant Candida spp. (C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. lusitaniae, and C. auris) were isolated from clinical specimens and identified using the CHROMagar Candida culture medium, Vitek-2 system, and molecular diagnosis, then prepared BVE and biosynthesis of chitosan NPs (chitosan NPs loaded BVE) and we studied their characterization (morphological and structural aspects) by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive x-ray, and high-performance liquid chromatography followed by the estimation of its minimum inhibitory concentration and sub-minimum inhibitory concentration and anti-biofilm activity.
Results: The extreme drug resistance patterns showed the chitosan NPs loaded BVE peak of 2θ value at 22.86 °C and an intensity level at 736.55 counts. Atomic force microscopy images found that the particle size ranged from 26.74 to 53.96 nm. Meanwhile, the morphology of chitosan NPs loaded BVE was investigated using scanning electron microscopy which had a spherical appearance with a diameter range of 37.99-56.28 nm. The energy-dispersive x-ray examination revealed a significant signal at 1.5 keV and 2.3 keV. The high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed the existence of flavonoids but no lysine and vitamin B12 which were higher in the chitosan NPs loaded with BVE than BVE alone. Furthermore, C. auris recorded the highest value in minimum inhibitory concentration and sub-minimum inhibitory concentration of chitosan NPs loaded BVE 52.3 and 39.23, respectively.
Conclusion: The prepared NPs compound was exceeded on BVE alone and highly sensitive antibiotic as anticandidal and antibiofilm activity against extremely drug-resistant Candida spp., including C. auris.