Inhibition of biofilm formation and swarming of Bacillus subtilis by (5Z)-4-bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-3-butyl-2(5H)-furanone.
OBJECTIVE
(5Z)-4-Bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-3-butyl-2(5H)-furanone(furanone) of the marine alga Delisea pulchra was synthesized, and its inhibition of swarming motility and biofilm formation of Bacillus subtilis was investigated.


RESULTS
Furanone was found to inhibit both the growth of B. subtilis and its swarming motility in a concentration-dependent way. In addition, as shown by confocal scanning laser microscopy, furanone inhibited the biofilm formation of B. subtilis. At 40 microg ml(-1), furanone decreased the biofilm thickness by 25%, decreased the number of water channels, and reduced the percentage of live cells by 63%.


CONCLUSIONS
Natural furanone has potential for controlling the multicellular behaviour of Gram-positive bacteria.
Ren
D
D
Department of Chemical Engineering and Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-3222, USA.
Sims
J J
JJ
Wood
T K
TK
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D005663:Furans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008124:Locomotion; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal
C454202:4-bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-3-butyl-2(5H)-furanone; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005663:Furans