C. albicans ATCC 10231
C. albicans ATCC 10231
Overview
C. albicans ATCC 10231 is a standardized laboratory reference strain of Candida albicans, a medically important opportunistic fungal pathogen. As an ATCC-deposited strain, it is widely used in antifungal susceptibility testing, formulation development, biofilm studies, and host–pathogen interaction experiments. In biomedical research, this strain serves as a reproducible model for evaluating antifungal agents, delivery systems, and anti-virulence strategies against Candida infections.
Biologically, C. albicans is notable for its ability to switch between yeast and hyphal forms, form biofilms, and cause mucosal and invasive disease. In the recent studies provided, C. albicans ATCC 10231 was used as a target organism in assays assessing antifungal activity, including ophthalmic, wound, and polymicrobial infection models. These investigations reflect its role as a benchmark strain for comparing drug potency and formulation performance against C. albicans, often alongside pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Focus of Latest Publications
Recent publications involving C. albicans ATCC 10231 have focused largely on antifungal discovery, combination therapy, and host–pathogen interaction models. Several studies evaluated natural products, purified compounds, and nanodelivery systems for activity against Candida albicans, often alongside other Candida species or clinical isolates. In one report, compounds from marine-derived Aspergillus sp. WHUF04-170 were tested in synergy with amphotericin B, and compounds 1 and 15 enhanced amphotericin B activity against C. albicans strains including ATCC 10231. Another study identified a benzimidazole-based derivative series in which compounds 3c and 3i showed strong antifungal activity against C. albicans, with mechanistic evidence pointing to reactive oxygen species accumulation and ergosterol-associated membrane targeting. A separate investigation of Paullinia pinnata isolated 6α-(3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxybenzoyl)-lup-20(29)-ene-3-one, which showed potent anti-Candida activity, synergized with voriconazole, nystatin, or caspofungin, and inhibited biofilm formation and preformed biofilms.
Other recent work examined formulation strategies intended to improve antifungal delivery or broaden antimicrobial efficacy against C. albicans. A pH-responsive human serum albumin nanoparticle system loaded with amphotericin B produced sustained, acidic pH-dependent release, retained antifungal activity against C. albicans, and inhibited biofilm formation while reducing renal toxicity in preclinical testing. Similarly, dissolving microneedles co-loaded with deferoxamine-anchored Ti3C2Tx MXene enabled transdermal delivery for infected wounds and showed photothermal antibacterial effects against C. albicans, with improved in vivo outcomes compared with topical solution delivery. Biogenic selenium nanoparticles synthesized from Prosopis farcta extract also displayed broad antimicrobial activity, including considerable antifungal activity against C. albicans, while maintaining low cytotoxicity toward normal human dermal fibroblasts.
C. albicans ATCC 10231 was also used in studies aimed at understanding infection biology and immune-based prevention. In a non-human primate model of experimental vulvovaginal candidiasis, Japanese macaques were shown to be susceptible to C. albicans infection and reinfection, with hyphae formation and polymorphonuclear cell recruitment in the vaginal lumen. immunization with the pan-fungal vaccine candidate NXT-2 induced robust systemic and mucosal anti-NXT-2 IgG responses and reduced fungal burden after subsequent rechallenge, supporting its potential for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis prevention. In another infection-focused study, melittin directly inhibited C. albicans growth in vitro, reduced virulence gene expression, and in a murine fungal encephalitis model decreased fungal burden while suppressing neuroinflammation, with additional evidence that it reversibly increased blood–brain barrier permeability.
Additional publications reported screening of plant-derived extracts and fractions against C. albicans ATCC 10231 as part of broader antifungal evaluations. Hyaluronate-coated novasomes carrying Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla extract improved antimicrobial potency relative to the crude extract, which had limited activity and was effective only against C. albicans. A saponin-enriched fraction from Sarcomphalus joazeiro was also assessed against Candida spp., including C. albicans, and was characterized by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS as containing triterpenoids, flavonoids, acids, and saponins. Together, these studies position C. albicans ATCC 10231 as a recurring reference strain for testing new antifungal compounds, delivery platforms, and combination strategies.