Development and characterization of nanoemulsions containing Lippia origanoides Kunth essential oil and their antifungal potential against Candida albicans.

This article focuses on the preparation, characterization, and antifungal evaluation of sodium alginate-based nanoemulsions containing essential oil from the plant *Lippia origanoides* against *Candida albicans* in both planktonic and biofilm forms. The study found that nanoemulsions with and without sunflower oil exhibited stable physicochemical properties over 60 days, with particle sizes ranging from approximately 180 to 498 nm and zeta potentials below −30 mV, indicating stability. The nanoemulsions demonstrated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between 0.078 and 0.312 mg/ml against clinical and standard *C. albicans* strains, with enhanced efficacy in biofilm eradication compared to free essential oil, eliminating up to 89.7% of biofilm mass. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that nanoemulsions were more toxic to VERO cells than free oil but less hemolytic to human red blood cells, suggesting a favorable safety profile for potential antifungal applications. These findings support the promise of *L. origanoides* essential oil nanoemulsions as alternative antifungal agents targeting *C. albicans* infections.