Microbial Biofilms: Identification, Resistance and Novel Drugs

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Antibiofilm Strategies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 597

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
2. ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Interests: biofilms; Candida infections; AMR; polymicrobial infections; alternative treatments; natural compounds; oral infections
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CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: biofilms; cistic fibrosis; resistance; pseudomonas
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biofilms are the main growing form of microorganisms. These communities can be developed in both biological and nonliving surfaces, forming complex “cities”, protected from environmental agressions. Unfortunately, they also carry tolerance and resistance mechanisms to drugs which difficult their irradiation. The emergent threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacterial, fungal or viral infections has driven the research community to explore effective alternatives to fight these critical pathogens. In this SI, we plan to explore in a deeper way, the potential bioactive effects of novel compounds to treat infections related to bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, with a particular interest in those directly related to AMR issues.

Dr. Célia Fortuna Rodrigues
Dr. Susana Patrícia Lopes
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biofilm
  • resistance
  • pathogens
  • alternative treatment
  • plant extract
  • peptides
  • nanotechnology

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

22 pages, 11558 KiB  
Article
Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Effect of Clove and Thyme Essential Oils on Growth Inhibition and Biofilm Formation of Arcobacter spp. and Other Bacteria
by Leona Hofmeisterová, Tomáš Bajer, Maciej Walczak and David Šilha
Antibiotics 2024, 13(12), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13121232 - 20 Dec 2024
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Abstract
Background: In recent years, significant resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics has been observed. A biofilm is a structure that significantly aids the survival of the microbial population and also significantly affects its resistance. Methods: Thyme and clove essential oils (EOs) were subjected to [...] Read more.
Background: In recent years, significant resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics has been observed. A biofilm is a structure that significantly aids the survival of the microbial population and also significantly affects its resistance. Methods: Thyme and clove essential oils (EOs) were subjected to chemical analysis using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Furthermore, the antimicrobial effect of these EOs was tested in both the liquid and vapor phases using the volatilization method. The effect of the EOs on growth parameters was monitored using an RTS-8 bioreactor. However, the effect of the EOs on the biofilm formation of commonly occurring bacteria with pathogenic potential was also monitored, but for less described and yet clinically important strains of Arcobacter spp. Results: In total, 37 and 28 compounds were identified in the thyme and clove EO samples, respectively. The most common were terpenes and also derivatives of phenolic substances. Both EOs exhibited antimicrobial activity in the liquid and/or vapor phase against at least some strains. The determined antimicrobial activity of thyme and clove oil was in the range of 32–1024 µg/mL in the liquid phase and 512–1024 µg/mL in the vapor phase, respectively. The results of the antimicrobial effect are also supported by similar conclusions from monitoring growth curves using the RTS bioreactor. The effect of EOs on biofilm formation differed between strains. Biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was completely suppressed in an environment with a thyme EO concentration of 1024 µg/mL. On the other hand, increased biofilm formation was found, e.g., in an environment of low concentration (1–32 µg/mL). Conclusions: The potential of using natural matrices as antimicrobials or preservatives is evident. The effect of these EOs on biofilm formation, especially Arcobacter strains, is described for the first time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biofilms: Identification, Resistance and Novel Drugs)
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