Natural compounds for controlling microbial adhesion and biofilm formation

The mode of action of zosteric acid at a cellular and molecular level was explored. In order to find main molecular determinants of the anti-biofilm activity in zosteric acid structure, chemical modifications of the sulfate phenolic ester and the carboxylic acid moieties were performed. The anti-biofilm activity of the modified antifoulants was verified and compared with the activity of zosteric acid through a quantitative biofilm assay using fluorochrome-labelled cells in hydrophobic microplate wells. Toxicity of the modified antifoulants was also tested to exclude a biocide effect. The tests were performed against E. coli. Information about the part of molecule responsible for the anti-biofilm activity was obtained.