NaCl-induced modulation of species distribution in a mixed P. aeruginosa / S. aureus /B.cepacia biofilm

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Burkholderia cepacia are notorious pathogens known for their ability to form resilient biofilms, particularly within the lung environment of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The heightened concentration of NaCl, prevalent in the airway liquid of CF patients' lungs, has been identified as a factor that promotes the growth of osmotolerant bacteria like S. aureus and dampens host antibacterial defenses, thereby fostering favorable conditions for infections. In this study, we aimed to investigate how increased NaCl concentrations impact the development of multi-species biofilms in vitro, using both laboratory strains and clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. cepacia co-cultures. Employing a low-nutrient culture medium that fosters biofilm growth of the selected species, we quantified biofilm formation through a combination of adherent CFU counts, qPCR analysis, and confocal microscopy observations. Our findings reaffirmed the challenges faced by S. aureus in establishing growth within 1:1 mixed biofilms with P. aeruginosa when cultivated in a minimal medium. Intriguingly, at an elevated NaCl concentration of 145 mM, a symbiotic relationship emerged between S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, enabling their co-existence. Notably, this hyperosmotic environment also exerted an influence on the interplay of these two bacteria with B. cepacia. We demonstrated that elevated NaCl concentrations play a pivotal role in orchestrating the distribution of these three species within the biofilm matrix. Furthermore, our study unveiled the beneficial impact of NaCl on the biofilm growth of clinically relevant mucoid P. aeruginosa strains, as well as two strains of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. This underscores the crucial role of the microenvironment during the colonization and infection processes. The results suggest that hyperosmotic conditions could hold the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of the genesis and behavior of CF multi-species biofilms.

Ultraviolet control of bacterial biofilms in microfluidic chips

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic systems have been instrumental in better understanding couplings between physical mechanisms and bacterial biofilm processes, such as hydrodynamic effects. However, precise control of the growth conditions, for example, the initial distribution of cells on the substrate or the boundary conditions in a flow system, has remained challenging. Furthermore, undesired bacterial colonization in crucial parts of the systems, in particular, in mixing zones or tubing, is an important factor that strongly limits the duration of the experiments and, therefore, impedes our ability to study the biophysics of biofilm evolving over long periods of time, as found in the environment, in engineering, or in medicine. Here, we develop a new approach that uses ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to confine bacterial development to specific zones of interest in the flow channels. The LEDs are integrated into a 3D printed light guide that is positioned upon the chip and used to irradiate germicidal UV-C directly through the PDMS. We first demonstrate that this system is successful in controlling undesired growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm in inlet and outlet mixing zones during 48 h. We further illustrate how this can be used to define the initial distribution of bacteria to perturb already formed biofilms during an experiment and to control colonization for seven days-and possibly longer periods of time-therefore opening the way toward long-term biofilm experiments in microfluidic devices. Our approach is easily generalizable to existing devices at low cost and may, thus, become a standard in biofilm experiments in PDMS microfluidics.

Seaweed Extracts as an Effective Gateway in the Search for Novel Antibiofilm Agents against Staphylococcus aureus

Treatment of biofilm-associated infections has become a major challenge in biomedical and clinical fields due to the failure of conventional treatments in controlling this highly complex and tolerant structure. Therefore, the search for novel antibiofilm agents with increased efficacy as those provided by natural products, presents an urgent need. The aim of this study was to explore extracts derived from three algae (green Ulva lactuca, brown Stypocaulon scoparium, red Pterocladiella capillacea) for their potential antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus, bacterium responsible for several acute and chronic infections. Seaweed extracts were prepared by successive maceration in various solvents (cyclohexane (CH), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA), and methanol (MeOH)). The ability of the different extracts to inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation was assessed using colony-forming unit (CFU) counts method supported by epifluorescence microscopic analysis. Effects of active extracts on the biofilm growth cycle, as well as on S. aureus surface hydrophobicity were evaluated. Results revealed the ability of four extracts to significantly inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation. These findings were supported by microscopy analyses. The gradual increase in the number of adherent bacteria when the selected extracts were added at various times (t₀, t_2h, t_4h, t_6h, and t_24h) revealed their potential effect on the initial adhesion and proliferation stages of S. aureus biofilm development. Interestingly, a significant reduction in the surface hydrophobicity of S. aureus treated with dichloromethane (DCM) extract derived from U. lactuca was demonstrated. These findings present new insights into the exploration of seaweeds as a valuable source of antibiofilm agents with preventive effect by inhibiting and/or delaying biofilm formation.

Seaweed Extracts: A Promising Source of Antibiofilm Agents with Distinct Mechanisms of Action against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The organization of bacteria in biofilms is one of the adaptive resistance mechanisms providing increased protection against conventional treatments. Thus, the search for new antibiofilm agents for medical purposes, especially of natural origin, is currently the object of much attention. The objective of the study presented here was to explore the potential of extracts derived from three seaweeds: the green Ulva lactuca, the brown Stypocaulon scoparium, and the red Pterocladiella capillacea, in terms of their antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa. After preparation of extracts by successive maceration in various solvents, their antibiofilm activity was evaluated on biofilm formation and on mature biofilms. Their inhibition and eradication abilities were determined using two complementary methods: crystal violet staining and quantification of adherent bacteria. The effect of active extracts on biofilm morphology was also investigated by epifluorescence microscopy. Results revealed a promising antibiofilm activity of two extracts (cyclohexane and ethyl acetate) derived from the green alga by exhibiting a distinct mechanism of action, which was supported by microscopic analyses. The ethyl acetate extract was further explored for its interaction with tobramycin and colistin. Interestingly, this extract showed a promising synergistic effect with tobramycin. First analyses of the chemical composition of extracts by GC-MS allowed for the identification of several molecules. Their implication in the interesting antibiofilm activity is discussed. These findings suggest the ability of the green alga U. lactuca to offer a promising source of bioactive candidates that could have both a preventive and a curative effect in the treatment of biofilms.

Comparative study of the insecticidal activity of a high green plant (Spinacia oleracea) and a chlorophytae algae (Ulva lactuca) extracts against Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly

OBJECTIVES

Currently, the global interests tend to take advantage of the plant world as a renewable source of a natural and effective molecule, to find an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and less toxic alternative to the current synthetic pesticide. In this context, the present research was carried out in an attempt to study the insecticidal activity of extracts and pigments derived from the green plant Spinacia oleracea and the green alga Ulva lactuca against the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as an alternative to chemical insecticide.

METHODS

The toxicity of the aqueous, acetonic and ethanolic extracts as well as of the purified pigments (Chlorophylls and carotenoids) was determined by complementary in vivo tests (application by spraying oranges, toxicity by ingestion and repellent activity). Interestingly, each one of these methods corresponds to a specific mode of exposure.

RESULTS

Results showed that acetone extracts, which are rich in green pigments, present the best insecticidal activities. On the other hand, the purified chlorophyllian pigments exhibited an interesting activity only by spraying method. Regarding the repellent activity, the aqueous extract of spinach displayed higher effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests the potential of tested plant and algal extracts, as well as of chlorophyllian pigments, to provide a safer alternative way to the use of synthetic pesticides.