Karaleen Anderson; Mariel Hatch; Caeleb Harris; Jeremiah Ferrin; Jedediah Orullian; Hutch Rhees, Utah Value University
R. oryzae is a species of fungi that forms biofilms in patients afflicted with immune or metabolic disorders. These fungal biofilms cause an infection known as Mucormycosis. Amphotericin B is the most common treatment used to treat the disease. Amphotericin B has been used as the first line of treatment for Mucormycosis since the 1950’s. However, it can have many adverse side effects including, chills, fever, headaches, loss of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, stomach pain and weight loss as well as fatal syndromes of hepato and nephrotoxicity. This study seeks to investigate the synergistic efficacy of the combination treatment of cinnamon oil and Amp B on fungal biofilms. This process helps to identify the extent to which cinnamon oil can be used to reduce the concentration of Amp B needed to combat Mucormycosis. The results of this synergism will be presented. This research could potentially provide valuable alternatives to Amp B and/or reducing its dosage in patients affected with Mucormycosis.