en قارچ شناسی Mycology تحقيقي Original Paper <div><strong>ABSTRACT</strong><br> <strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Background and Objectives:</strong><em> Candida albicans</em> is one of the most common fungal pathogens that can form biofilm, particularly on surface of medical devices. In recent years, <em>C. albicans</em> has shown increased resistance to antifungal agents. In this experimental study, we aimed to study effects of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles or SPION) on biofilm formation by <em>C. albicans</em>.<br> <strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Methods: </strong>First, the SPION were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of SPION were determined. Then, antibiofilm effects of the nanoparticles were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 at significance level of 0.05.<br> <strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Results: </strong>According to the results of X-ray diffraction, the SPION had a mean diameter of about 70 nm. MIC and MFC values of SPION against <em>C. albicans</em> were 100 ppm and 200 ppm which reduced biofilm formation by 87.2% and 100%, respectively. SPION showed significant inhibitory effects on <em>C. albicans</em> growth and biofilm formation.<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Based on the findings, SPION may be considered as a novel family of fungicidal compounds. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the safety of these nanoparticles for treatment of fungal infections in humans.<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Keywords:</strong> Candida albicans; Biofilms; SPION; Nanoparticles.</div> : Candida albicans, Biofilm, SPION, Nanoparticles 44 50 http://mlj.goums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-182-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Fateme Golipour m.golipoor68@yahoo.com 100319475328460016687 100319475328460016687 No Hamedan branch,Islamic Azad University,Hamedan, Iran Reza Habibipour habiby.reza@gmail.com 100319475328460016688 100319475328460016688 Yes Hamedan branch,Islamic Azad University,Hamedan, Iran Leila Moradihaghgou lmhaghgou@gmail.com 100319475328460016689 100319475328460016689 No Hamedan branch,Islamic Azad University,Hamedan, Iran