African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5233

Full Length Research Paper

Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175) biofilm formation on eugenol-impregnated surgical sutures

Victor Alves Carneiro
  • Victor Alves Carneiro
  • Laboratory of Biofilms and Antimicrobial Agents (LaBAM), Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara – UFC, Sobral - Ceara, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Elaine de Fátima Furtado
  • Elaine de Fátima Furtado
  • Laboratory of Biofilms and Antimicrobial Agents (LaBAM), Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara – UFC, Sobral - Ceara, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Elaine de Fátima Furtado
  • Elaine de Fátima Furtado
  • Laboratory of Biofilms and Antimicrobial Agents (LaBAM), Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara – UFC, Sobral - Ceara, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Maria Laína Silva
  • Maria Laína Silva
  • Laboratory of Biofilms and Antimicrobial Agents (LaBAM), Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara – UFC, Sobral - Ceara, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Rondinely Lima Silva
  • Rondinely Lima Silva
  • Laboratory of Biofilms and Antimicrobial Agents (LaBAM), Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceara – UFC, Sobral - Ceara, Brazil.
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Queli Cristina Fidelis
  • Queli Cristina Fidelis
  • Department of Science and Technology, Federal University of Maranhao – UFMA, Balsas - Maranhao, Brazil.
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Francisco Eduardo Aragão Catunda Júnior
  • Francisco Eduardo Aragão Catunda Júnior
  • Exact, Natural and Technological Sciences Department – CCENT, State University of Tocantina Region of Maranhao – UEMASUL, Imperatriz - Maranhao, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 19 December 2018
  •  Accepted: 07 February 2019
  •  Published: 07 March 2019

Abstract

The use of bioactive compounds as anti-infective coating on biomaterial surfaces has been studied as a tool against microbial adhesion and the establishment of biofilms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of eugenol, specifically the ability to interact with cotton suture threads for preventing adhesion and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of eugenol were determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), which showed respective concentration values of 250 and 1000 μg/ml. In addition, eugenol displayed marked activity against to biofilm formation in 96-well polystyrene plates against several strains from the Streptococcus genus, even at lower than bacteriostatic concentrations between 15 to 250 μg/ml. Moreover, eugenol formed an effective covering on cotton-suture surfaces that inhibited cell adhesion, which decreased the S. mutans (ATCC 25175) biofilm development, according to biomass and metabolic rate, quantified by crystal violet staining and XTT reduction, respectively. This research may help to explore the eugenol molecule as an antifouling coating on surfaces, bringing a new perspective to the prevention of infections associated with biomaterials.

 

Key words: Eugenol, biofilm formation, Streptococcus mutans, anti-infective surfaces.