Inhibiting The Growth Of Biofilm With Plant Extracts

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a chytrid fungus that infects amphibian species globally. The organism causes chytridiomycosis, a disease that can cause death in susceptible amphibians. Chytridiomycosis has become a global epidemic and has caused massive population declines and even species extinctions in certain regions of the world. Our lab is currently investigating the possible methods used by Bd in order to survive in the absence of a living host. It has been shown by our lab that Bd is capable of forming a biofilm in vitro. A biofilm can be classified as a microbial aggregate encased within a polysaccharide matrix.  In this study, we exposed Bd to plant extracts of five different species, some of which are known to inhibit biofilm production in other microbes: Ocimum basilicum (basil), Rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary), Allium sativum (garlic), Capsicum chinense “Bhut Jolokia” (ghost chili), and Salvia officinalis (sage). Using a crystal violet assay we were able to monitor the growth and biofilm formation of Bd in the presence of varying concentrations of methanol extracts of these plants. Our results showed that the rosemary extract was able to significantly inhibit biofilm growth more effectively than the other plant extracts used in the study. The antifungal properties of the plant extracts used in this study could be further investigated for their usefulness as antimicrobial therapies for Bd infections.