Beta-Indoleethanol and Beta-Indolelactic Acid Production by Candida Species: Their Antibacterial and Autoantibiotic Action

Abstract

Candida spp. grown in synthetic medium supplemented with l -tryptophan as sole nitrogen source produced β-indoleethanol (β-IEA) and β-indolelactic acid (β-ILA). These compounds isolated from the culture filtrates were characterized by ultraviolet, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral studies. Using dl -[ ³ H]trypotophan in the medium, labeled β-IEA and β-ILA were isolated. Further, β-IEA was produced as a result incubating log-phase cells of C. albicans with β-ILA. Both β-IEA and β-ILA inhibited the growth of gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Autoantibiotic action of these compounds on Candida spp. and the reversal of this inhibition were studied.