Mechanism of action of sodium propionate on the growth inhibition of Malassezia restricta.

The relative abundance of M. rectricta to Cutibacterium acnes is significantly higher under in diseased scalp condtions, when compared to healthy scalp. We have identified propionate, a short chain fatty acid produced by C. acnes, that can inhibit the growth of M. restricta.

In this study, we treated M. resticta with sodium propionate and studied the transcriptome at different time points (0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours) to understand the mechanism of action of the short chain fatty acid. We found that propionate induces iron-starvation response in M. restricta, leading to cell death.