Anti-biofilm potential of red pitahaya betacyanins against Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Abstract

This study investigated the antibiofilm effects of betacyanin fraction (BF) from red pitahaya against Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, key pathogens in oral biofilm formation. Betacyanin purification employed column chromatography, and characterization was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Crystal violet assay and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated significant inhibition of early biofilm formation and disruption of preformed biofilms using BF (0.94–15 mg/mL). Anti-adhesion assays on artificial teeth indicated potent betacyanin-mediated inhibition of both sucrose-dependent and -independent bacterial attachment. Notably, growth curve and pH drop assays revealed that BF hindered pH reduction for all tested bacteria without suppressing their growth. Tetrazolium-based cytotoxicity assays showed minimal toxicity towards normal human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) at 0.78–12.5 mg/mL. These findings demonstrate the potential of red pitahaya betacyanins as promising antibiofilm agents for oral health, targeting both initial and mature stages of biofilm development.