Effect of Hen Egg White on Microbial Adhesion and Biofilm Growth of Biomaterial Associated Infection Causing Pathogens

Abstract

Microbial biofilms on biomaterial implant surfaces or devices are troublesome, since biofilm organisms are protected by matrix of exopolymeric substances, impenetrable for most antibiotics and immune cells. It is established that bacterial adhesion to surface is required for colonization and subsequent biofilm formation. The adherent state is important for bacterial survival and development of infection. Therefore, prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm growth on implant surfaces should ultimately prevent the occurrence of infection. Egg white was considered to play an important role in resistance against bacteria for developing embryo mainly during early incubation. Utilization of egg white as a coating to prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm growth on biomaterials implants is novel. Here, we studied the effect of Hen egg white as a coating to surface, on bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) adhesion and biofilm growth. We report that a significant reduction in bacterial adhesion was observed for S.aureus on egg white coated surface compared to control (no egg white coating). Whereas P. aeruginosa and E. coli, do not show any significant difference compared to control. When bacteria were allowed to grow in the presence of egg white, a significant reduction in growth was observed on all bacteria compared to control. Thus Hen egg white potentially used as biological coating on implants for prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.