What is it about?
Some Candida yeasts cause hard-to-treat infections because they form biofilms (sticky protective layers). We made tiny iron-oxide particles using olive-leaf extracts, avoiding harsh chemicals. We compared two particle types made with different solvents and tested them on five Candida species. Both reduced biofilm growth, with the hematite-only particles showing the strongest overall inhibition.
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Why is it important?
Different Candida species can respond very differently, so testing across species is essential. Using olive leaves lets us tune particle properties with a simple, greener synthesis route. We focused on biofilm inhibition, which is highly relevant for healthcare surfaces and devices. The hematite particles reduced biofilm activity by about 80% at higher doses in several species. This supports low-cost surface treatments that could complement existing antifungal approaches.
Perspectives
I was most struck by how a simple change in the extract solvent reshaped the particles we produced. Choosing to test multiple Candida species and biofilms, not only free-floating cells, made the work more clinically relevant. A key insight was that the larger, single-phase hematite particles were often more reliable than the smaller mixed-phase ones. Next, I want to see these materials evaluated as coatings on real healthcare surfaces, with careful safety testing. That step would clarify where green-synthesized iron-oxide nanoparticles can fit in infection control.
Dr Daniel Ortega
Universidad de Cadiz
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Candida species and Olea europaea leaves’ single and biphasic Fe2O3 nanoparticles antifungal potentiality for clinical purposes, Surfaces and Interfaces, November 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2025.108015.
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