Juglone inactivates pseudomonas aeruginosa through cell membrane damage, biofilm blockage, and inhibition of gene expression

Abstract

Due to the strong drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), the inhibition effects of conventional disinfectants and antibiotics are not obvious. Juglone extracted from discarded walnut husk, as a kind of plant-derived antimicrobial agent, has the advantages of naturalness, high efficiency, and low residue, with a potential role in the inhibition of P. aeruginosa. This study elucidated the inhibitory effect of juglone on the growth of plankton and the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilm. The results showed that juglone (35 µg/mL) had an irreversible inhibitory effect on P. aeruginosa colony formation (about 107 CFU/mL). The integrity and permeability of the cell membrane were effectively destroyed, accompanied by disorder of the membrane permeability, mass leakage of the cytoplasm, and ATP consumption. Further studies manifested that juglone could induce the abnormal accumulation of ROS in cells and block the formation of the cell membrane. In addition, RT-qPCR showed that juglone could effectively block the expression of five virulence genes and two genes involved in the production of extracellular polymers, thereby reducing the toxicity and infection of P. aeruginosa and preventing the production of extracellular polymers. This study can provide support for the innovation of antibacterial technology toward P. aeruginosa in food.