Inhibition of Candida albicans CC biofilms formation in polystyrene plate surfaces by biosurfactant produced by Trichosporon montevideense CLOA72

This study evaluated the effects of glycolipid-type biosurfactant produced by Trichosporon montevideense CLOA72 in the formation of biofilms in polystyrene plate surfaces by Candida albicans CC isolated from the apical tooth canal. Biofilm formation was reduced up to 87.4% with use of biosurfactant at 16 mg/ml concentration. It has been suggested that the interaction with the cell or polystyrene plate surface could ultimately be responsible for these actions. Therefore, the interaction of C. albicans CC cells with the biosurfactant, as well as the corresponding thermodynamic parameters, have been determined by isothermal titration calorimetry and zeta potential measurements. This process is endothermic ((intH° = +1284 ± 5 cal/mg OD600) occurring with a high increase of entropy (T(intS° = +10635 cal/mg OD600). The caloric energy rate data released during the titulation indicates saturation of the cell-biosurfactant at 1.28 mg/ml OD600. Also, the zeta potential of the cell surface was monitored as a function of the biosurfactant concentration added to cell suspension showing partial neutralization of net surface charge, since the value of zeta potential ranged from −16 mV to −6 mV during the titration. The changes of cell surface characteristics can contribute to the inhibition of initial adherence of cells of C. albicans in surface. The CMC of the purified biosurfactant produced from T. montevideense CLOA72 is 2.2 mg/ml, as determined both by ITC dilution experiments and by surface tension measurements. This biomolecule did not presented any cytotoxic effect in HEK 293A cell line at concentrations of 0.25–1 mg/ml. This study suggests a possible application of the referred biosurfactant in inhibiting the formation of biofilms on plastic surfaces by C. albicans.

.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► The purpose of this investigation was to describe the effects glycolipid-type biosurfactant produced by T. montevideense CLOA72 in the formation of biofilms by Candida albicans CC during adhesion to polystyrene surfaces.
► The data obtained from assays for characterization of interaction of C. albicans CC cells with the biosurfactant by isothermal titration calorimetry and ZP suggests that the interaction process is endothermic occurring with a high increase of entropy; and the net surface charge of the cells is partially neutralized by the surfactant.
► These changes on the surface can contribute to the anti-adhesive potential of these surface-active compounds.