Biosurfactants as Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Agents (original) (raw)

Microbial surfactants, so-called biosurfactants, have attracted attention as potential substitutes for, or as additions to, currently used antimicrobial compounds, mainly for biofilm infection control. Biofilm cells show greater resistance to antimicrobials and host defense mechanisms than their planktonic counterparts, mainly by polymeric matrix barrier formation. Thus, conventional interventions with antimicrobials to eradicate biofilms are frequently ineffective. There are two current antibiofilm technologies, focused on targeting the biofilm-forming process or on modifying the biomaterials used in medical devices to make them resistant to biofilm formation. Biosurfactants may prevent or delay the formation of biofilms on medical devices owing to their interfacial and/or antimicrobial properties. Also, these biomolecules have potential use in formulations of drug-delivery nanocarrier systems, including liposomes and polymer-based carriers. Therefore, in this chapter, the features...