title: Effect of algae and plant lectins on planktonic growth and biofilm formation in clinically relevant bacteria and yeasts.
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the abilities of plant and algae lectins to inhibit planktonic growth and biofilm formation in bacteria and yeasts. Initially, ten lectins were tested on Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and C. tropicalis at concentrations of 31.25 to 250  μ g/mL. The lectins from Cratylia floribunda (CFL), Vatairea macrocarpa (VML), Bauhinia bauhinioides (BBL), Bryothamnion seaforthii (BSL), and Hypnea musciformis (HML) showed activities against at least one microorganism. Biofilm formation in the presence of the lectins was also evaluated; after 24 h of incubation with the lectins, the biofilms were analyzed by quantifying the biomass (by crystal violet staining) and by enumerating the viable cells (colony-forming units). The lectins reduced the biofilm biomass and/or the number of viable cells to differing degrees depending on the microorganism tested, demonstrating the different characteristics of the lectins. These findings indicate that the lectins tested in this study may be natural alternative antimicrobial agents; however, further studies are required to better elucidate the functional use of these proteins.
authors: Biologically Active Molecules Laboratory (Biomol-Lab), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60440-970, CE, Brazil ; Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (IBB), Center of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors: Mayron Alves
authors: MA
authors: Vasconcelos
authors: Integrated Laboratory of Biomolecules (LIBS), Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, CE, Brazil.
authors: Francisco Vassiliepe Sousa
authors: FV
authors: Arruda
authors: Biologically Active Molecules Laboratory (Biomol-Lab), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60440-970, CE, Brazil.
authors: Victor Alves
authors: VA
authors: Carneiro
authors: Biologically Active Molecules Laboratory (Biomol-Lab), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60440-970, CE, Brazil.
authors: Helton Colares
authors: HC
authors: Silva
authors: Biologically Active Molecules Laboratory (Biomol-Lab), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60440-970, CE, Brazil.
authors: Kyria Santiago
authors: KS
authors: Nascimento
authors: Biologically Active Molecules Laboratory (Biomol-Lab), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60440-970, CE, Brazil.
authors: Alexandre Holanda
authors: AH
authors: Sampaio
authors: Biologically Active Molecules Laboratory (Biomol-Lab), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60440-970, CE, Brazil.
authors: Benildo
authors: B
authors: Cavada
authors: Integrated Laboratory of Biomolecules (LIBS), Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, CE, Brazil.
authors: Edson Holanda
authors: EH
authors: Teixeira
authors: Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (IBB), Center of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors: Mariana
authors: M
authors: Henriques
authors: Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (IBB), Center of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors: Maria Olivia
authors: 0000-0002-4307-3985
authors: MO
authors: Pereira
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D018533:Biomass; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000737:chemistry*; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D010933:Plankton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015003:Yeasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D037121:Plant Lectins