Abstract

**Orji J. O., Nwankwo C. E, Onwuliri E. A., Oru C. M., Okoye, A. U., Inyogu, J. C., *Agumah, N. B.

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at comparing the antifungal effects of homemade virgin coconut oil (VCO) and commercially available (VCO) on Vulvovaginal isolates of Candida species. Seventy-two isolates of various Candida species which included C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. dubliniensis and C. krusei were isolated from vaginal swab and endocervical swab specimens of women attending a tertiary hospital in Abakaliki. Agar well diffusion technique was used and the isolates were exposed to serially diluted VCO at dilutions ranging from 1:2, 1:4, 1:8 and 1:16. There were varying degrees of susceptibility and resistance to both homemade and commercially available VCO. Resistance was recorded more with the commercial VCO than the home made VCO. C. albicans, C, glabrata and C, krusei showed less susceptibility and high resistance than the other two species C. tropicalis and C. dubliniensis. This study shows a high prospect of Virgin coconut oil being a veritable alternative to contemporary antifungals.