• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.369-378
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the effects of indole on biofilm formation inhibition in Pantoea agglomerans (P. agglomerans). In the biofilm growth assay, indole inhibited biofilm formation across all the growth time. Depending on biofilm growth stage, indole exhibited biofilm inhibition and anti-bacterial effects on planktonic cells. Through the analysis of the proportion rate between biofilm and Colony Forming Units (CFU) and inhibition rate of indole, we confirmed that depending on the biofilm stage of P. agglomerans, indole treatment timing was more important than the treatment duration. By comparing gene expression rates through rt-qPCR P.agglomerans affected by indole was found to significantly change quorum sensing (pagI/R) and indole transportation (bssS) gene expressions. Throughout all, indole exhibited both antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects on P. agglomerans. In addition, we confirmed the anti-biofilm effects of indole on mature biofilm. In conclusion, indole as a signal molecule, can exhibit anti-biofilm effects through bacterial quorum sensing inhibition and indole affects. Therefore, indole can regulate biofilm bacteria especially gram-negative opportunistic pathogens.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1854-1861
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• 2020

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common microorganisms and causes foodborne diseases. In particular, biofilm-forming S. aureus is more resistant to antimicrobial agents and sanitizing treatments than planktonic cells. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-biofilm effects of cell-free supernatant (CFS) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from cucumber jangajji compared to grapefruit seed extract (GSE). CFS and GSE inhibited and degraded S. aureus biofilms. The adhesion ability, auto-aggregation, and exopolysaccharide production of CFS-treated S. aureus, compared to those of the control, were significantly decreased. Moreover, biofilm-related gene expression was altered upon CFS treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed that CFS exerted anti-biofilm effects against S. aureus. Therefore, these results suggest that S. cerevisiae CFS has anti-biofilm potential against S. aureus strains.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.668-674
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• 2020

Manuka honey (MH) has been shown anti-bacterial activity against several pathogenic bacteria. However, the inhibitory effect of MH on biofilm formation by Escherichia coli O157:H7 has not yet been examined. In this study, MH significantly reduced E. coli O157:H7 biofilm. Moreover, pre- and post-treatment with MH also significantly reduced E. coli O157:H7 biofilm. Cellular metabolic activities exhibited that the viability of E. coli O157:H7 biofilm cells was reduced in the presence of MH. Further, colony forming unit of MH-treated E. coli O157:H7 biofilm was significantly reduced by over 70%. Collectively, this study suggests the potential of anti-biofilm properties of MH which could be applied to control E. coli O157:H7.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1177-1183
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• 2019

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is a safe and effective preservative that is used widely in the food industry. However, there are few studies addressing the anti-biofilm effect of GSE. In this study, the anti-biofilm effect of GSE was investigated against biofilm-forming strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The GSE minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for S. aureus and E. coli were $25{\mu}g/ml$ and $250{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. To investigate biofilm inhibition and degradation effect, crystal violet assay and stainless steel were used. Biofilm formation rates of four strains (S. aureus 7, S. aureus 8, E. coli ATCC 25922, and E. coli O157:H4 FRIK 125) were 55.8%, 70.2%, 55.4%, and 20.6% at $1/2{\times}MIC$ of GSE, respectively. The degradation effect of GSE on biofilms attached to stainless steel coupons was observed (${\geq}1$ log CFU/coupon) after exposure to concentrations above the MIC for all strains and $1/2{\times}MIC$ for S. aureus 7. In addition, the specific mechanisms of this anti-biofilm effect were investigated by evaluating hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production rate, and motility. Significant changes in EPS production rate and motility were observed in both S. aureus and E. coli in the presence of GSE, while changes in hydrophobicity were observed only in E. coli. No relationship was seen between auto-aggregation and biofilm formation. Therefore, our results suggest that GSE might be used as an anti-biofilm agent that is effective against S. aureus and E. coli.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1242-1248
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• 2017

Several medicinal plants are ethnomedically used in Korea as agents for treating infection, anti-inflammation, and pain relief. However, beyond typical inhibitory effects on cell growth, little is known about the potential anti-biofilm activity of these herbs, which may help to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of the methanol extracts of 37 Korean medicinal plants against dental pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, which synergize their virulence so as to induce the formation of plaque biofilms in the oral cavity. The antimicrobial activities were investigated by broth dilution and disk diffusion assay. The anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities were evaluated based on the inhibitory effect against glucosyltransferase (GTase) and the DPPH assay, respectively. Among 37 herbs, eight plant extracts presented growth and biofilm inhibitory activities against both etiologic bacteria. Among them, the methanol extracts (1.0 mg/ml) from Camellia japonica and Thuja orientalis significantly inhibited the growth of both bacteria by over 76% and over 83% in liquid media, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of these methanol extracts were determined to be 0.5 mg/ml using a disk diffusion assay on solid agar media. Biofilm formation was inhibited by more than 92.4% and 98.0%, respectively, using the same concentration of each extract. The present results demonstrate that the medicinal plants C. japonica and T. orientalis are potentially useful as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents in preventing dental diseases.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.615-624
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• 2022

In this study, we assessed anti-oxidant activity, anti-microbial, inhibition of biofilm formation and inflammatory factors(nitric oxide, interleukin-6, interleukin-8) inhibitory effect of Perillae semen hydrothermal extract(PSW) and three kinds of Perillae semen supercritical fluid extract(PSSs) extracted by controlling temperature with no variation of pressure. Compared with PSW, PSSs had significantly lower minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs) against Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) and the ability of PSSs to inhibit formation of biofilm was also superior. PSSs reduce the production of inflammatory mediator and inflammatory cytokines significantly compared to PSW. We suggest, therefore, Perillae semen supercritical fluid 45℃ extract which showed the best anti-microbial, inhibition of biofilm formation, and inhibition of inflammatory factors production among the supercritical fluid extracts could be used for protecting patients with atopic dermatitis from pruritus and transepidermal water loss as a functional ingredient from nature.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.225-233
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the in vitro anti-biofilm activities of plant extracts of chives (Allium tuberosum), garlic (Allium sativum), and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) against environment harmful bacteria (gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and, gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7). In the paper disc assay, garlic extracts exhibited the highest anti-biofilm activity. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of all plant extracts was generally higher for gram-negative bacteria than it was for gram-positive bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria were more resistant to plant extracts. The tetrazolium dye (XTT) assay revealed that, each plant extract exhibited a different anti-biofilm activity at the MIC value depending on the pathogen involved. Among the plant extracts tested, garlic extracts (fresh juice and powder) effectively reduced the metabolic activity of the cells of food-poisoning bacteria in biofilms. These anti-biofilm activities were consistent with the results obtained through light microscopic observation. Though the garlic extract reduced biofilm formation for all pathogens tested, to elucidate whether this reduction was due to antimicrobial effects or anti-biofilm effects, we counted the colony forming units of pathogens in the presence of the garlic extract and a control antimicrobial drug. The garlic extract inhibited the E. coli O157:H7 biofilm effectively compared to the control antimicrobial drug ciprofloxacin; however, it did not inhibit S. aureus biofilm significantly compared to ciprofloxacin. In conclusion, garlic extracts could be used as natural food preservatives to prevent the growth of foodborne pathogens and elongater the shelf life of processed foods.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1078-1089
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• 2017

Biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus is one of its mechanisms of drug resistance. Anti-biofilm screening of 106 compounds from marine-derived fungi displayed that 12 compounds inhibited S. aureus biofilm formation by >50% at the concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$, and only secalonic acid D (SAD) and B inhibited by >90% at $6.25{\mu}g/ml$ without inhibiting cell growth after 24-h incubation. Meanwhile, it was found that the double bond between C-1 and C-10 of citrinin derivatives and the C-C connection position of two chromone monomers may be important for their anti-biofilm activities. Moreover, SAD slightly facilitated biofilm eradication and influenced its architecture. Furthermore, SAD slowed the cell growth rate in the preceding 18-h incubation and differentially regulated transcriptional expression of several genes, such as agr, isaA, icaA, and icaD, associated with biofilm formation in planktonic and biofilm cells, which may be the reason for the anti-biofilm activity of SAD. Finally, SAD acted synergistically against S. aureus growth and biofilm formation with other antibiotics. These findings indicated that various natural products from marine-derived fungi, such as SAD, could be used as a potential biofilm inhibitor against S. aureus.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.556-560
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• 2009

Xanthorrhizol, a sesquiterpene isolated from Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb., was used to investigate its effect on reducing the saliva and multi-species oral biofilms consisting of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, and Actinomyces viscosus by anti-biofilm and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) assays. Xanthorrhizol exhibited significant antibiofilm activity in the dose- and time-dependent manners. Exposure to 2 and $5{\mu}g/mL$ xanthorrhizol for 30 min remained <50% of saliva and multi-species biofilms formed for 24 hr. In addition, exposure to $10{\mu}g/mL$ xanthorrhizol for 30 min reduced 65 and 77% of 24 hr saliva and multi-species oral biofilms, respectively. CLSM results visually demonstrated that xanthorrhizol reduced bacterial viability in the saliva and multi-species oral biofilms. These results suggest that C. xanthorrhiza Roxb. containing xanthorrhizol with strong anti-biofilm activity can be employed as a plant source for oral care functional foods.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.172-179
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• 2023

Biofouling initiated by biofilm (slime) formation is a key challenge for practical ocean engineering and construction. This study evaluated a new anti-biofilm technology using bioelectricity. The anti-microfouling electrical technology is based on the principles of the bioelectric effect, known as the application of an electrostatic force for biofilm removal. Previously, the electricity was optimized below 0.82V to avoid electrolysis, which can prevent the production of biocides. A test boat comprised of microelectronics for electrical signal generation with electrodes for an anti-biofouling effect was developed. The tests were conducted in the West Sea of Korea (Wangsan Marina, Incheon) for three weeks. The surface biofouling was quantified. A significant reduction of fouling was observed under the bioelectric effect conditions, with approximately 30% enhanced prevention of fouling progress (P<0.05). This technology can be an alternative eco-friendly technique for anti-microfouling that can be applied for canals, vessels, and coastal infrastructure because it does not induce electrolysis.