Contribution of phytoextracts in challenging the biofilms of pathogenic bacteria

Abstract

A biofilm is an association of microbial cells remaining adhered on abiotic or biotic surfaces with a matrix of extracellular polymeric substance. This matrix provides shelter to the enclosed microbes and imparts resistance to host immune response and antimicrobial drugs, posing a global challenge for health sectors. The leaves, roots, flowers, seeds or entire plants often contain various bioactive compounds that can either inhibit biofilm formation by checking the surface adherence of the bacteria or eradicate the already formed biofilm by disrupting the biofilm matrix. Methanol, ethanol, water, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether can be used to make the plant extract. Such phytoextracts were reported to be efficient against biofilms of different pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus, Listeria, Escherichia coli etc. A vast diversity of plant families is tested for their antibiofilm efficacy that clearly indicates they possess the ability to act as an effective antibiofilm agent. This may help the plant to protect themselves from microbial infections. Machine learning algorithm may be applied to evaluate the antibiofilm efficacy of phytocompounds and phyto-essential oils.