Inhibition of Biofilm Formation in Yersinia enterocolitica by Edible Plant Extracts Including Polygoni Multiflori Radix

Abstract

Yersinia enterocolitica, which causes yersiniosis, is a bacterium that produces biofilms effectively. The inhibition of biofilm formation provides a method for preventing infections with Y. enterocolitica. In this study, the inhibitory activity of Y. enterocolitica biofilm formation was investigated in a library of 140 edible plant methanol extracts including forest products. It was identified that the biofilm formation could be inhibited by 12 extracts of plants, Agastachis Herba, Agrimoniae Herba, Diospyros kaki leaves, Elsholtziae Herba, Ginkgonis Semen, Lycopi Herba, Melonis Pedicellus, Menthae Herba, Mori Radicis Cortex, Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Prunellae Spica, and Schizonepetae Spica. After changing the solvent to ethanol and water, the greatest inhibition of biofilm formation was produced by a 50% ethanol extract of Polygoni Multiflori Radix. A method to effectively prevent yersiniosis can be developed using the edible plant extracts identified in this study.