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Innovative microparticle strategies: harnessing essential oil-loaded lecithin/chitosan systems against Burkholderia
Anderson da Cunha Costa1,2, Dayana Pinto de Meneses3, Maria Rosiene Antunes Arcanjo3
1Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, One Health Microbiology Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Abstract:
Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, presents high antimicrobial resistance, largely due to its biofilm-forming ability. Here, innovative lecithin/chitosan microparticles loaded with lemongrass (LEO) and geranium (GEO) essential oils (LEOLCN and GEOLCN) were developed and characterized as a novel strategy to combat B. pseudomallei. Microparticles were characterized and evaluated for their effects on planktonic growth and biofilm inhibition, as well as for potential synergistic interactions with antibiotics. Microparticles exhibited a spherical morphology, high encapsulation efficiency, and sustained release profiles, with up to 45% of EO released at pH 2.0 and 32% at pH 7.4 after 50 h. LEOLCN demonstrated MICs ranging from 64 to 128 µg ml-1 for most strains, although some resistant isolates exhibited MICs of up to 2,048 µg ml-1. At a concentration of 512 µg ml-1, both LEOLCN and GEOLCN reduced biofilm biomass and metabolic activity by more than 50%. LEOLCN exhibited synergistic effects with conventional antibiotics, reducing ceftazidime MICs by 2- to 9-fold, suggesting its potential to enhance antibiotic therapy against resistant strains. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed biofilm disruption. Overall, the dual antimicrobial and antibiofilm action of these compounds introduces a promising and innovative in vitro platform to address the persistent challenge of B. pseudomallei infections and biofilm-associated resistance.
Insights
Novel lecithin/chitosan microparticles loaded with lemongrass (LEO) and geranium (GEO) essential oils show dual antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Burkholderia pseudomallei. These microparticles (LEOLCN and GEOLCN) enhance antibiotic efficacy, offering a promising strategy against melioidosis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Materials Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Burkholderia pseudomallei causes melioidosis and exhibits high antimicrobial resistance.
- Biofilm formation is a key factor contributing to B. pseudomallei's resistance.
- Novel strategies are needed to overcome antimicrobial resistance in B. pseudomallei infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize lecithin/chitosan microparticles loaded with lemongrass (LEO) and geranium (GEO) essential oils.
- To evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of these microparticles against B. pseudomallei.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of microparticles with conventional antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of LEO/GEO-loaded lecithin/chitosan microparticles (LEOLCN, GEOLCN).
- Evaluation of planktonic growth inhibition (MICs) and biofilm inhibition assays.
- Assessment of synergistic interactions with antibiotics (ceftazidime) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for biofilm disruption.
Main Results:
- Microparticles showed spherical morphology, high encapsulation efficiency, and sustained release profiles.
- LEOLCN and GEOLCN demonstrated significant antibiofilm activity, reducing biomass and metabolic activity by over 50%.
- LEOLCN exhibited synergistic effects with ceftazidime, reducing MICs 2- to 9-fold, and SEM confirmed biofilm disruption.
Conclusions:
- LEOLCN and GEOLCN microparticles possess dual antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against B. pseudomallei.
- These microparticles represent a promising platform to enhance antibiotic therapy against resistant strains.
- The developed microparticles offer an innovative in vitro strategy to combat persistent B. pseudomallei infections and biofilm resistance.
