Combating Pseudomonas Fluorescens Biofilm with Adjuvant Antioxidants

Overview

Combating Pseudomonas Fluorescens Biofilm with Adjuvant Antioxidants: Eighty percent of life-threatening chronic infections are caused by bacteria growing as biofilms. Biofilms are highly resistant to antibacterial treatments, as they prevent penetration of conventional antibiotics. As a result, antibiotics have been used at much higher concentrations and longer duration, leading to antibiotic resistance and toxicity. Many strategies have been employed to eradicate biofilms, but drawbacks to these methods have subsequently increased the need for alternative approaches to effectively prevent biofilm formation and eradication in-vivo. The focus of this project is to overcome the limitations of current anti-biofilm strategies through the use of antioxidants as adjuvants to eradicate biofilms. Pseudomonas biofilms were developed and incubated with deionized water (control) and antioxidants in various concentrations. The biofilms were then quantified using crystal violet staining and their optical densities (OD) measured using Spectrophotometer. The maximum destruction of biofilm was noted with a 50% concentration of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), where the OD was 0.255, followed by 25% NAC (0.295). Z. Officinale (0.307), C. longa (0.309), O. tenuiflorum (0.393) and Eucalyptus globulus (0.413) were most effective at 50%. Allium sativum (0.360) was most effective at 25% followed by 50% concentration (0.363). Maximum inhibition of biofilm formation was noted with 50% NAC, C. longa and Z. officinale, where OD was 0.082. This was followed by 50% O. tenuiflorum and C. longa with optical densities of 0.083 and 0.093. OD of E. globulus (0.503) and A. sativum (0.403) were still lower than the control (0.563). Among all antioxidants, NAC proved to be very potent even at a lower concentration. Statistical Significance was proved by using the T-Test. P-values for biofilm destruction and inhibition of biofilm formation were less than 0.05 for all concentrations of antioxidants. In conclusion, antioxidants have the capability to annihilate bacterial biofilms and could be a revolutionary step towards addressing this pervasive global health issue. Novel methodologies can be developed to deliver antioxidants in-vivo through inhalation, intravenous or oral medications in conjunction with antibiotics. Antioxidants can diminish biofilm-related morbidity and mortality and have the potential to save thousands of lives across the globe.

Competition history

• AJAS 2020 Category not listed

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