Biofilm inhibition: the use of a marine alkaloid derivative in the prevention of clinically-relevant biofilms

Abstract

Biofilms are complex and highly resistant microbial communities of sessile cells, which are responsible for many human pathogeneses. Given the risk that biofilms present to public health, this study was performed to contribute to the body of knowledge in the area of infections control by investigating the ability of Agilyte™, a marine alkaloid derivative, to inhibit biofilms of clinical significance and a potential synergistic effect of Agilyte™ and Penicillin G. The bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used in an in-vitro study. Biofilms were established using microtiter plates incubating at 35°C for 24hours, under static and aerobic conditions. To evaluate biofilm inhibition properties and a combined synergistic effect, Agilyte™, with and without antibiotic, was added to bacterial cultures prior to incubation. Biofilm mass was determined using a crystal violet reporter assay and viable cells were determined using the drop-plate method. Independent samples t-test was used to compare biofilm mass from treated samples and positive controls. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Mean Log10 Reduction (LR) was calculated for viable plate counts and significant difference was set at >0.3 LR.