6-Methylcoumarin attenuates quorum sensing and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and its applications on solid surface coatings with polyurethane.

Abstract

Quorum sensing mediated biofilm formation has a major role in modern therapeutics due to adherence of cells on the solid surface. Here, we have developed a stable polyurethane blend with a 6-methylcoumarin (6-MC) composite that showed significant antibiofilm activity. The 6-MC was found to prominently inhibit P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation at 125μg/ml and was able to inhibit various virulence factors such as pyocyanin, siderophore, exopolysaccharide, elastase and proteases, including motility of the bacteria. In addition, 6-MC was found functionally active in saving the C. elegans from P. aeruginosa PAO1 infection. Moreover, docking studies of different activator proteins correlate well with in vitro and in vivo results. To enhance this biological activity, 6-MC was blended with polyurethane, which also revealed superior antibiofilm activity on plastic and glass surfaces compared to a polyurethane coating. Therefore, the 6-MC could be used to combat P. aeruginosa infection for effective treatment and antibiofilm applications on solid surfaces through polyurethane blending and subsequent film fabrication strategies. KEY POINTS: • 6-Methylcoumarin significantly inhibits P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm • 6-MC was found functionally active in saving the C. elegans from PAO1 infection • 6-MC and polyurethane blend showed superior antibiofilm activity.