Abstract
BackgroundYarrowia lipolytica is an ascomycetous dimorphic fungus that exhibits biofilm mode of growth. Earlier work has shown that biosurfactants such as rhamnolipids are efficient dispersants of bacterial biofilms. However, their effectiveness against fungal biofilms (particularly Y. lipolytica) has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rhamnolipid on a biofilm forming strain of Y. lipolytica. Two chemical surfactants, cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) were used as controls for comparison.ResultsThe methylene blue dye exclusion assay indicated an increase in fungal cell permeability after rhamnolipid treatment. Microtiter plate assay showed that the surfactant coating decreased Y. lipolytica biofilm formation by 50%. Rhamnolipid treatment disrupted pre-formed biofilms in a more effective manner than the other two surfactants. Confocal laser scanning microscopic studies showed that biofilm formation onto glass surfaces was decreased by 67% after sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) treatment with rhamnolipids. The disruption of biofilms after rhamnolipid treatment was significant (P<0.05) when compared to SDS and CTAB.ConclusionThe results indicate a potential application of the biological surfactant to disrupt Y. lipolytica biofilms.
Highlights
Yarrowia lipolytica is an ascomycetous dimorphic fungus that exhibits biofilm mode of growth
It is well known that microorganisms in the biofilm mode of growth often resist a variety of antimicrobial agents
sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) was more effective as an antifungal agent compared to rhamnolipids and cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)
Summary
Yarrowia lipolytica is an ascomycetous dimorphic fungus that exhibits biofilm mode of growth. Earlier work has shown that biosurfactants such as rhamnolipids are efficient dispersants of bacterial biofilms. Their effectiveness against fungal biofilms ( Y. lipolytica) has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rhamnolipid on a biofilm forming strain of Y. lipolytica. From biomedical point of view, the eradication of this organism becomes important. The fungus forms biofilms on different surfaces in the presence of a variety of substrates [6]. It is well known that microorganisms in the biofilm mode of growth often resist a variety of antimicrobial agents.
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