Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Infeksi jamur seperti Candida albicans merupakan masalah kesehatan yang signifikan, terutama pada individu dengan sistem imun yang lemah. Meningkatnya resistensi terhadap obat antijamur konvensional mendorong pencarian agen alternatif yang lebih efektif dan aman. Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) dari Moringa oleifera merupakan salah satu kandidat potensial karena sifat antimikroba dan biokompatibilitasnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis sifat antifungal CQDs daun kelor terhadap Candida albicans berdasarkan perubahan morfologi sel dan toksisitas. Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) disintesis dari ekstrak daun kelor dan diaplikasikan pada kultur Candida albicans. Perubahan morfologi sel diamati menggunakan mikroskop cahaya, sedangkan toksisitas dievaluasi menggunakan metode MTT Assay. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa pemberian CQDs menyebabkan kerusakan struktur sel, seperti deformasi membran dan dinding sel, serta peningkatan toksisitas yang ditandai dengan penurunan viabilitas sel. Terdapat korelasi antara konsentrasi CQDs dan tingkat toksisitas terhadap Candida albicans. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa CQDs dari Moringa oleifera berpotensi sebagai agen antifungal alternatif dalam menghambat pertumbuhan Candida albicans melalui mekanisme kerusakan sel berbasis nanoteknologi.
Kata Kunci: Antifungal, Carbon Quantum Dots, Moringa oleifera, toksisitas sel, Candida albicans

Fungal infections such as Candida albicans are a significant health issue, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems. The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal drugs has driven the search for more effective and safer alternative agents. Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) from Moringa oleifera are one of the potential candidates due to their antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility. This study aims to analyze the antifungal properties of CQDs from moringa leaves against Candida albicans based on cell morphological changes and toxicity. Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) were synthesized from moringa leaf extract and applied to Candida albicans cultures. Morphological changes in cells were observed using a light microscope, while toxicity was evaluated using the MTT Assay method. The results showed that the administration of CQDs caused damage to the cell structure, such as membrane and cell wall deformation, as well as increased toxicity marked by a decrease in cell viability. There was a correlation between the concentration of CQDs and the level of toxicity towards Candida albicans. This study indicates that CQDs from Moringa oleifera have the potential as an alternative antifungal agent in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans through a nanotechnology-based cell damage mechanism. Keywords: Antifungal, Carbon Quantum Dots, Moringa oleifera, cell toxicity, Candida albicans