Natural Anti-Biofilm Agents: A Comprehensive Review and Future Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Biofilms, microbial communities in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), present significant challenges due to resistance to conventional treatments.
• Biofilm-associated infections lead to increased healthcare burdens and mortality rates, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of natural anti-biofilm agents as alternative strategies against microbial biofilms.
• To explore diverse natural sources, including plants, microorganisms, and marine organisms, for anti-biofilm compounds.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies on natural anti-biofilm agents.
• Analysis of mechanisms of action, including inhibition of microbial adhesion, quorum sensing (QS) interference, and EPS disruption.
• Evaluation of efficacy in in vitro and in vivo studies.

Main Results:

• Plant-derived compounds, microbial products, and marine bioactive substances demonstrate significant anti-biofilm properties.
• These natural agents effectively inhibit microbial adhesion, interfere with QS, and disrupt EPS formation.
• Promising efficacy observed in both laboratory and real-world application studies.

Conclusions:

• Natural anti-biofilm agents represent a viable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional treatments.
• Further research is needed to address challenges like standardization and biocompatibility for broader applications.
• Optimizing these agents and exploring synergistic combinations can enhance their effectiveness in medicine, food processing, and water treatment.