Exploring the potential of postbiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum as a novel therapeutic agent for Candida albicans

Dental caries, a prevalent chronic condition that affects the oral cavity and systemic health of children (7-15 y) and adolescents (16-24 y), can significantly reduce their quality of life. In this study, 120 dental caries samples were collected from Tamil Nadu, India. Seventy-four yeast isolates were identified. The antifungal drugs used were found to be effective against Candida isolates; however, two isolates, belonging to C. albicans and C. tropicalis, showed significant resistance to the tested antifungal agents, fluconazole 10 μg and ketoconazole 10 μg. Hence, C. albicans (DDGRPO5, DDGRPO3) and C. tropicalis (DDGRP04) were identified through sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. The postbiotic of L. fermentum GD5MG inhibited the growth of antifungal drug-resistant Candida sp., significantly reducing the number of planktonic Candida cells and inhibiting Candida biofilm formation, thereby showcasing its potential to suppress dental caries. These observations underscore that, despite the promising probiotic potency, the postbiotic of L. fermentum GD5MG remains a novel and alternative therapeutic candidate for dental prophylaxis.