Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.3
4.3
Journals
Antibiotics
Special Issues
Biofilm Formation and Control
share announcement

Biofilm Formation and Control

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2024) | Viewed by 16450

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rita Teixeira-Santos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
LEPABE – Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: biomedical and marine biofilms; biofilm physiological characterization; biofilm formation and resistance; anti-adhesive and antimicrobial coatings
Dr. Luciana C. Gomes

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
LEPABE – Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: food industry and biomedical biofilms; biofilm reactors; biofilm characterization; recombinant protein production in biofilms
Dr. Filipe J. Mergulhão

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
LEPABE – Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: biomedical, industrial and marine biofilms; biofilm formation and resistance; hydrodynamic effects on biofilms

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biofilms are structured communities of microbial cells that can form everywhere, and in general, exhibit higher resistance to antibiotics and environmental stresses than their planktonic counterparts. Because they cause serious problems in clinical, industrial, and environmental settings, a better understanding of the dynamics of biofilm formation, as well as the development of new strategies capable of inhibiting and controlling them, is needed.

Hence, this special issue targets the assessment of biofilm formation and the design of novel antibiofilm strategies to control its formation in different settings, including, but not limited to:

  • Methods for biofilm monitoring
  • Biofilm components quantification (proteins and EPS)
  • Multispecies biofilm interactions
  • Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models of biofilm control using novel antimicrobial agents
  • Probiotics or probiotic-derived metabolites
  • Bacteriophages and bacteriophage-derived enzymes
  • Antimicrobial peptides
  • Surface modification strategies to prevent biofilm formation
  • Natural biofilm inhibitors
  • Non-antibiotic drugs
  • Combined therapies
  • Novel strategies against polymicrobial biofilms

It is our pleasure to invite you to submit high-quality original and review articles related to the topics mentioned above.

Dr. Rita Teixeira-Santos
Dr. Luciana C. Gomes
Dr. Filipe J. Mergulhão
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biofilm formation
  • new antibiofilm strategies
  • polymicrobial biofilms
  • antibiofilm molecules
  • biofilm stress response

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 3065 KiB  
Article
Influence of Dead Cells Killed by Industrial Biocides (BAC and DBNPA) on Biofilm Formation
by Ana C. Barros, Diogo A. C. Narciso, Luis F. Melo and Ana Pereira
Antibiotics 2024, 13(2), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13020140 - 31 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1846
Abstract
Industrial biocides aim to keep water systems microbiologically controlled and to minimize biofouling. However, the resulting dead cells are usually not removed from the water streams and can influence the growth of the remaining live cells in planktonic and sessile states. This study [...] Read more.
Industrial biocides aim to keep water systems microbiologically controlled and to minimize biofouling. However, the resulting dead cells are usually not removed from the water streams and can influence the growth of the remaining live cells in planktonic and sessile states. This study aims to understand the effect of dead Pseudomonas fluorescens cells killed by industrial biocides—benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA)—on biofilm formation. Additionally, the effect of different dead/live cell ratios (50.00% and 99.99%) was studied. The inoculum was recirculated in a Parallel Plate Flow Cell (PPFC). The overall results indicate that dead cells greatly affect biofilm properties. Inoculum with DBNPA–dead cells led to more active (higher ATP content and metabolic activity) and thicker biofilm layers in comparison to BAC–dead cells, which seems to be linked to the mechanism of action by which the cells were killed. Furthermore, higher dead cell ratios (99.99%) in the inoculum led to more active (higher culturability, metabolic activity and ATP content) and cohesive/compact and uniformly distributed biofilms in comparison with the 50.00% dead cell ratio. The design of future disinfection strategies must consider the contribution of dead cells to the biofilm build-up, as they might negatively affect water system operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Formation and Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 7329 KiB  
Article
Antibiofilm Properties and Demineralization Suppression in Early Enamel Lesions Using Dental Coating Materials
by Niraya Kornsombut, Shoji Takenaka, Maki Sotozono, Ryoko Nagata, Takako Ida, Jutharat Manuschai, Rui Saito, Ryouhei Takahashi and Yuichiro Noiri
Antibiotics 2024, 13(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13010106 - 22 Jan 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1969
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of dental coating materials on Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation. The test materials were PRG Barrier Coat (PRG), BioCoat Ca (BioC), and FluorDental Jelly (FluorJ). Bovine enamel specimens were demineralized to mimic early enamel lesions. The biofilm [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of dental coating materials on Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation. The test materials were PRG Barrier Coat (PRG), BioCoat Ca (BioC), and FluorDental Jelly (FluorJ). Bovine enamel specimens were demineralized to mimic early enamel lesions. The biofilm was developed on a specimen treated with one of the materials by using a modified Robbins device flow-cell system. Scanning electron and fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy, viable and total cell counts, and gene expression assessments of the antibiofilm were performed. Ion incorporation was analyzed using a wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy electron probe microanalyzer. All materials allowed biofilm formation but reduced its volume. FluorJ was the only material that inhibited biofilm accumulation and had a bactericidal effect, revealing 0.66 log CFU in viable cells and 1.23 log copy reduction in total cells compared with the untreated group after 24 h of incubation. The ions released from PRG varied depending on the element. BioC contributed to enamel remineralization by supplying calcium ions while blocking the acid produced from the biofilm. In summary, the dental coating materials physically prevented acid attacks from the biofilm while providing ions to the enamel to improve its mechanical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Formation and Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4853 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Cellular Damage Resulting from Exposure of Bacteria to Graphene Oxide and Hybrids Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
by Christopher M. Liauw, Misha Vaidya, Anthony J. Slate, Niall A. Hickey, Steven Ryder, Emiliano Martínez-Periñán, Andrew J. McBain, Craig E. Banks and Kathryn A. Whitehead
Antibiotics 2023, 12(4), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040776 - 18 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2078
Abstract
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance, there is an urgent need to find new antimicrobials. Four particulate antimicrobial compounds, graphite (G), graphene oxide (GO), silver–graphene oxide (Ag-GO) and zinc oxide–graphene oxide (ZnO-GO) were tested against Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae [...] Read more.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance, there is an urgent need to find new antimicrobials. Four particulate antimicrobial compounds, graphite (G), graphene oxide (GO), silver–graphene oxide (Ag-GO) and zinc oxide–graphene oxide (ZnO-GO) were tested against Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial effects on the cellular ultrastructure were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and selected FTIR spectral metrics correlated with cell damage and death arising from exposure to the GO hybrids. Ag-GO caused the most severe damage to the cellular ultrastructure, whilst GO caused intermediate damage. Graphite exposure caused unexpectedly high levels of damage to E. coli, whereas ZnO-GO exposure led to relatively low levels of damage. The Gram-negative bacteria demonstrated a stronger correlation between FTIR metrics, indicated by the perturbation index and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). The blue shift of the combined ester carbonyl and amide I band was stronger for the Gram-negative varieties. FTIR metrics tended to provide a better assessment of cell damage based on correlation with cellular imaging and indicated that damage to the lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and phospholipid bilayers had occurred. Further investigations into the cell damage caused by the GO-based materials will allow the development of this type of carbon-based multimode antimicrobials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Formation and Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2218 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs against Endodontic Biofilms
by Carmen María Ferrer-Luque, Carmen Solana, Beatriz Aguado and Matilde Ruiz-Linares
Antibiotics 2023, 12(3), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030450 - 23 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2127
Abstract
Persistent infections have become a challenge in dentistry because of growing antibiotic resistance. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) appear to be a therapeutic alternative to control biofilm infection. The objective of this work is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of sodium diclofenac [...] Read more.
Persistent infections have become a challenge in dentistry because of growing antibiotic resistance. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) appear to be a therapeutic alternative to control biofilm infection. The objective of this work is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of sodium diclofenac (DCS), ibuprofen (IBP) and ibuprofen arginine (IBP-arginine) solutions against endodontic polymicrobial biofilms. Sterile radicular dentin blocks of 4 mm × 4 mm × 0.7 mm were used as substrate to grow biofilm. The dentin blocks were submerged into solutions for 5 min. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by means of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Fibroblasts 3T3-L1 (ECACC 86052701) were used to test the cytotoxicity of irrigating solutions. The antibiofilm effects determined by the ATP assay showed that 4% IBP-arginine solution exerted the highest antibiofilm activity, followed by 4% DCS and 4% IBP, with statistical differences among groups (p < 0.001). As for CLSM, 4% DCS and 4% IBP-arginine solutions gave the lowest viable cell percentages, without significant differences between them. Cytotoxicity results at 1/10 dilution were similar for all solutions. At 1/100 dilution, a 4% DCS solution obtained the lowest cell viability for both time periods assayed, 1 h and 24 h. The IBP-arginine group showed the highest cell viability at 24 h. In this preliminary study, in terms of antibiofilm activity and cytotoxicity, a mixed 4% IBP-arginine solution gave the most promising results. NSAID solutions could be recommendable drugs for endodontic disinfection procedures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Formation and Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 725 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm and Toxicological Assessment of Propolis
by Maria Cristina Queiroga, Marta Laranjo, Nara Andrade, Mariana Marques, Ana Rodrigues Costa and Célia Maria Antunes
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020347 - 8 Feb 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2937
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem for the control of infections and infectious diseases. Propolis is a substance produced by honeybees with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. To consider propolis as an alternative to the use of antimicrobials for infection control, we assessed its [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem for the control of infections and infectious diseases. Propolis is a substance produced by honeybees with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. To consider propolis as an alternative to the use of antimicrobials for infection control, we assessed its antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. To assess propolis for topical medical use, toxicological studies were also performed. A Portuguese 70% propolis ethanolic extract was chemically evaluated and studied for antimicrobial activity on staphylococcal field isolates (n = 137) and antibiofilm action (n = 45). Cell toxicological assessment was performed using keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Pinobanksin, chrysin, acacetin, apigenin, pinocembrin, and kaempferol-dimethyl-ether were detected. All 137 isolates were susceptible to 6.68 mg/mL or lower propolis concentration (80% isolates were susceptible to <1 mg/mL). The mean percentage of biofilm inhibition was 71%, and biofilm disruption was 88.5%. Propolis (<1 mg/mL) was well-tolerated by fibroblasts and moderately tolerated by keratinocytes. The combined antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect of propolis, together with its low toxicity to connective tissue and epithelial cells, suggests a good applicability for topical antibacterial treatment. Therefore, propolis seems to be a good alternative to antimicrobials for the treatment of infections with Staphylococcus spp. that deserves to be evaluated in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Formation and Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

17 pages, 1768 KiB  
Review
Use of Probiotics to Control Biofilm Formation in Food Industries
by Andreia R. Tomé, Fábio M. Carvalho, Rita Teixeira-Santos, Mette Burmølle, Filipe J. M. Mergulhão and Luciana C. Gomes
Antibiotics 2023, 12(4), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040754 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4533
Abstract
Microorganisms tend to adhere to food contact surfaces and form biofilms, which serve as reservoirs for bacteria that can contaminate food. As part of a biofilm, bacteria are protected from the stressful conditions found during food processing and become tolerant to antimicrobials, including [...] Read more.
Microorganisms tend to adhere to food contact surfaces and form biofilms, which serve as reservoirs for bacteria that can contaminate food. As part of a biofilm, bacteria are protected from the stressful conditions found during food processing and become tolerant to antimicrobials, including traditional chemical sanitisers and disinfectants. Several studies in the food industry have shown that probiotics can prevent attachment and the consequent biofilm formation by spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. This review discusses the most recent and relevant studies on the effects of probiotics and their metabolites on pre-established biofilms in the food industry. It shows that the use of probiotics is a promising approach to disrupt biofilms formed by a large spectrum of foodborne microorganisms, with Lactiplantibacillus and Lacticaseibacillus being the most tested genera, both in the form of probiotic cells and as sources of cell-free supernatant. The standardisation of anti-biofilm assays for evaluating the potential of probiotics in biofilm control is of extreme importance, enabling more reliable, comparable, and predictable results, thus promoting significant advances in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Formation and Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop