| Summary: | Biosynthesis is a green method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This study aimed to assess the antifungal activity of two silver nanoparticle solutions, synthesized using beech bark extract (BBE) and acetate and nitrate silver salts (AgNP Acetate BBE and AgNP Nitrate BBE), their influence on biofilm production, their potential synergistic effects with fluconazole, on different <i>Candida</i> spp., and their influence on virulence factors of <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> (germ tube production, gene expression for <i>ALS3</i>, <i>SAP2</i>, <i>HSP70</i>). Both the AgNP BBEs presented different minimum inhibitory concentrations for all the studied <i>Candida</i> spp., but biofilm production was inhibited only for <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>guilliermondii</i>. The growth rates of all the studied <i>Candida</i> spp. were inhibited in the presence of both AgNP BBEs, except for <i>C</i>. <i>auris</i>. Synergistic activity was observed for <i>C</i>. <i>parapsilosis</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>guilliermondii</i>, for different combinations of fluconazole with both the AgNP BBEs. The germ tube production of <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> was slightly inhibited by the AgNP BBEs. Only AgNP Acetate BBE was able to down-regulate the expression of <i>SAP2</i>. Overall, we can conclude that, even if more studies are necessary, AgNPs synthesized with beech bark extract might be an interesting alternative to classic antifungal treatments.
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