title: Melaleuca alternifolia nanoparticles against Candida species biofilms.
abstract: Candida infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality on immunosuppressed patients. This growing trend has been associated with resistance to the antimicrobial therapy and the ability of microorganism to form biofilms. TTO oil is used as antimicrobial which shows antibiofilm activity against Candida species. However, it presents problems due to its poor solubility and high volatility. The present study aimed to evaluate in vitro antibiofilm activity of TTO nanoparticles against many Candida species. It was performed the characterization of the oil and nanoparticles. The levels of exopolysaccharides, proteins, and the biomass of biofilms were measured. The chromatographic profile demonstrated that the TTO oil is in accordance with ISO 4730 with major constituents of 41.9% Terpinen-4-ol, 20.1% of γ-Terpinene, 9,8% of α-Terpinene, and 6,0% of 1,8-Cineole. The TTO nanoparticles showed pH of 6.3, mean diameter of 158.2 ± 2 nm, polydispersion index of 0.213 ± 0.017, and zeta potential of -8.69 ± 0.80 mV. The addition of TTO and its nanoparticles represented a significant reduction of biofilm formed by all Candida species, as well as a reduction of proteins and exopolysaccharides levels. It was possible to visualize the reduction of biofilm in presence of TTO nanoparticles by Calcofluor White method.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiological Research, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, Brazil; Laboratory of Nanotechnology, Post Graduate Program of Nanosciences, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiological Research, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, Brazil; Laboratory of Nanotechnology, Post Graduate Program of Nanosciences, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: L Q S
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Bonez
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Pampa, Bagé, Brazil.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gündel
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Chemical Solid State, Chemical Institute, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: D S T
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Nanotechnology, Post Graduate Program of Nanosciences, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sagrillo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacotechnique, Universidade Regional Integrada, URI-Santiago, Santiago, Brazil.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Giongo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiological Research, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, Brazil; Laboratory of Nanotechnology, Post Graduate Program of Nanosciences, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Vaucher
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiological Research, Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Raffin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phytochemical, Industrial Pharmacy Department, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Boligon
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil. Electronic address: robertochrist@gmail.com.
authors.forename: R C V
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D018533:Biomass; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D031650:Melaleuca / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils
keywords: Biofilm; Calcofluor white; Candida; Nanotechnology; TTO