Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Remote Magnetic Actuation of Micrometric Probes for in situ 3D Mapping of Bacterial Biofilm Physical Properties
Published on: May 2, 2014
Sugar-powered nanoantimicrobials for combating bacterial biofilms
Min Li1, En-Tang Kang1, Kim Lee Chua2
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore 117585. chenkg@nus.edu.sg.
Abstract:
Bacterial biofilms cause chronic infections due to their inherent tolerance to antimicrobial therapies. We describe and compare the efficacy of two types of sugar (d-glucose and d-mannose)-modified cyclodextrin nanocarriers (CD-GLU and CD-MAN) loaded with antibacterial agents for preventing and eradicating bacterial biofilm. The antibacterial agents comprise a quorum sensing inhibitor (5,6-dimethyl-2-aminobenzimidazole, DMABI) and two antibiotics (erythromycin and rifampicin), and the cyclodextrin nanocarriers were tested on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). DMABI loaded in the CD-GLU carrier was significantly more effective at inhibiting the development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm when compared to either its free form or when it is loaded in CD without grafted sugar moieties. Antibiotics loaded in CD-GLU and CD-MAN carriers were similarly more effective at dispersing pre-formed Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. These antibacterial compounds loaded in the CD-GLU and CD-MAN carriers were somewhat less effective in eradicating Staphylococcus aureus biofilm as compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. This difference is attributed to the different extent of penetration of the sugar-grafted carriers into the biofilms of these two species of bacterial cells. Although the sugar-grafted carrier-antibacterial agent complexes exhibit potent effects against bacterial biofilms, they are not cytotoxic to mammalian cells.
Related Concept Videos
Phloem and Sugar Transport
Bacterial Signaling
Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules
Biofilms
Power
Power System Distribution
The transmission system is designed...

