Antifungal Properties of 3-n-Alkyn-1-ols and Synergism with 2-n-Alkyn-1-ols and Ketoconazole

Twelve 3-n-alkyn-1-ols (C4-C12, C14, C16, and C18) were tested against Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride, and Myrothecium verrucaria in Sabouraud dextrose agar at pH 5.6 and 7.0. Toxicity to Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Mucor mucedo was determined in the same medium at pH 5.6 and 7.0 in the absence and presence of 10% beef serum. Fungitoxicity was strongly influenced by chain length, slightly by pH of the medium, and significantly but not strongly by the presence of beef serum. 3-n-Decyn-1-ol, 3-n-undecyn-1-ol, and 3-n-dodecyn-1-ol were the most active members of the series. Synergism toward C. albicans and C. tropicalis was observed between 3-n-undecyn-1-ol and ketoconazole, and a mixture of 3-n-undecyn-1-ol, 2-n-undecyn-1-ol, and ketoconazole in Sabouraud dextrose agar at pH 7.0 in the presence of 10% human serum.