Microbial biofilm prevention on wound dressing by nanobiocoating using magnetosomes‐coupled lemon grass extract

Abstract

In the present study, bacterial magnetosomes were used as a carrier molecule to couple with lemon grass extract (LGE) for the prevention of microbial biofilm in wound dressing material. Magnetosomes were extracted from Magnetospirillum sp. VITRJS-1 and characterised by microscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis. The phytochemical analyses of the extract showed the presence of bioactive compounds that are reported for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of antimicrobial citral and fernesal compounds. The extract was conjugated onto the magnetosomes and confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The prepared magnetosome–lemon grass extract (MLGE) was evaluated for its antibiofilm property against the biofilm-forming pathogens Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Staphylococcus aureus on wound dressing material by plate assay. The results indicated that the number of colonies formed was considerably reduced in MLGE coated wound dressing compared with that of LGE and control. Furthermore, SEM analysis displayed that the MLGE drastically reduced the spread of biofilm formation. Thus, MLGE coated wound dressings are effective in preventing the microbial biofilm formation, and further investigation on animal models will enable its use commercially.