Scientists have identified a plant-produced chemical that can prevent the formation of harmful biofilms, a significant discovery with implications for both healthcare and industrial maintenance.
If you’ve noticed your teeth feeling coated after skipping a brushing, you’ve experienced biofilm — a slippery layer of bacteria that adheres to surfaces. In healthcare, biofilms can make it challenging to treat infections by creating protective barriers around bacteria on devices such as catheters and implants.
Researchers at UC Riverside have uncovered that a substance produced by stressed plants can stop biofilms from developing. This important finding paves the way for advancements in medical care and helps in reducing corrosion in industrial machinery.
“Essentially, biofilms are clusters of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, that come together to create a protective barrier on various surfaces,” explained Katayoon Dehesh, a distinguished professor of molecular biochemistry at UCR, and the lead author of the study that reported this discovery.
“You may have observed them as the slimy coating on river stones or the tartar on your teeth. While biofilms are a natural aspect of many ecosystems, they can lead to significant issues.”
The research, published in Nature Communications, emphasizes the role of a specific metabolite— a molecule generated during crucial chemical processes in plants, bacteria, and some parasites, such as the malaria-causing one.
In plants, this metabolite, MEcPP, is vital for creating necessary compounds and sending stress signals. For example, when a plant is harmed and excess oxygen enters its cells, it gathers MEcPP, which then triggers protective measures within the plant. The study revealed that MEcPP also has an unexpected impact on bacteria like E. coli by hindering their ability to form biofilms and stick to surfaces.
In medical environments, biofilms can develop on devices such as catheters, stents, and implants, complicating infection treatment because the bacteria in biofilms have high resistance to antibiotics. In industrial applications, they can clog pipelines, contaminate food processing equipment, and lead to corrosion.
“By disrupting the early stages of biofilm creation, this molecule presents significant potential to enhance results in any sector that depends on clean surfaces,” Dehesh stated.
Bacteria use hair-like appendages called fimbriae to secure themselves to surfaces, which is essential for initiating biofilm formation. Fimbriae allow bacteria to attach to medical implants, pipes, or teeth, where they produce a protective layer that shields them from antibiotics and cleaning agents. Without these fimbriae, they can’t begin to form biofilms.
“Biofilms act like strongholds for bacteria,” said Jingzhe Guo, a project scientist at UCR and the first author of the study. “By undermining the initial attachment stage, MEcPP effectively neutralizes the bacteria’s ability to build these strongholds.”
Through examining over 9,000 bacterial mutants, the research team pinpointed a crucial gene dubbed fimE, which functions as a switch for turning off fimbriae production. MEcPP boosts this gene’s activity, resulting in less fimbriae production, which hinders biofilm formation.
“Our findings could lead to innovative methods for preventing biofilms in a variety of industries,” Guo remarked. “From improving water quality to enhancing dental care products, the opportunities are vast.”
Biofilms pose not just a medical challenge but also a costly issue for industries. They can result in blocked pipelines, corroded machinery, and food processing contamination. Conventional methods to control biofilms often rely on harsh chemicals or costly treatments that may harm the environment or become ineffective as bacteria evolve.
“This research highlights the surprising links between plant biology and microbiology,” Guo noted. “It’s exciting to consider that a plant molecule used for signaling stress could one day aid humans in fighting bacterial challenges.”
