title: Biofilm formation by Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans in the presence of farnesol: a quantitative evaluation.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the QS molecule farnesol on single and mixed species biofilms formed by Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans. The anti-biofilm effect of farnesol was assessed through total biomass quantification, counting of colony forming units (CFUs) and evaluation of metabolic activity. Biofilms were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that farnesol reduced the formation of single and mixed biofilms, with significant reductions of 37% to 90% and 64% to 96%, respectively, for total biomass and metabolic activity. Regarding cell viability, farnesol treatment promoted significant log reductions in the number of CFUs, ie 1.3-4.2 log10 and 0.67-5.32 log10, respectively, for single and mixed species biofilms. SEM images confirmed these results, showing decreases in the number of cells in all biofilms. In conclusion, these findings highlight the role of farnesol as an alternative agent with the potential to reduce the formation of pathogenic biofilms.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health , Aracatuba Dental School , UNESP , Araçatuba/São Paulo , Brazil.|b Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics , Aracatuba Dental School , UNESP , Araçatuba/São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Renan Aparecido
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health , Aracatuba Dental School , UNESP , Araçatuba/São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Douglas Roberto
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health , Aracatuba Dental School , UNESP , Araçatuba/São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Laís Salomão
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health , Aracatuba Dental School , UNESP , Araçatuba/São Paulo , Brazil.|b Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics , Aracatuba Dental School , UNESP , Araçatuba/São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela Lopes
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health , Aracatuba Dental School , UNESP , Araçatuba/São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Alberto Carlos Botazzo
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Delbem
authors.affiliation: b Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics , Aracatuba Dental School , UNESP , Araçatuba/São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Debora Barros
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Barbosa
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods; D005204:Farnesol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005204:Farnesol
keywords: Biofilms; Candida albicans; Streptococcus mutans; quorum sensing