Photomodulation of bacterial growth and biofilm formation using carbohydrate-based surfactants. Issue 11 (17th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Yingxue; Zou, Wenyue; Julita, Villy; Ramanathan, Rajesh; Tabor, Rico F.; Nixon-Luke, Reece; Bryant, Gary; Bansal, Vipul; Wilkinson, Brendan L.
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 7:Issue 11(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 6628
• Page End: 6634
• Publication Date: 2016-08-17
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6sc03020c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : The photocontrollable antibacterial and biofilm modulatory activity of a panel of light responsive carbohydrate-based surfactants is reported. Abstract : Naturally occurring and synthetic carbohydrate amphiphiles have emerged as a promising class of antimicrobial and antiadhesive agents that act through a number of dynamic and often poorly understood mechanisms. In this paper, we provide the first report on the application of azobenzene trans – cis photoisomerization for effecting spatial and temporal control over bacterial growth and biofilm formation using carbohydrate-based surfactants. Photocontrollable surface tension studies and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed the diverse geometries and dimensions of self-assemblies (micelles) made possible through variation of the head group and UV-visible light irradiation. Using these light-addressable amphiphiles, we demonstrate optical control over the antibacterial activity and formation of biofilms against multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli . To probe the mechanism of bioactivity further, we evaluated the impact of trans – cis photoisomerization in these surfactants on bacterial motility and revealed photomodulated enhancement in swarming motility in P. aeruginosa . These light-responsive amphiphiles should attract significant interest as a new class of antibacterial agents and as investigational tools for probing the complex mechanisms underpinning bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.