Evaluation of anti-biofilm potential of biosurfactant extracted from Nocardia species.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial natural products such as biosurfactants and surface-active agents are important compounds which exhibit many applications in the fields of medicine. AIM: The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify Nocardia strains with high biosurfactant production and antibiofilm ability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, a biosurfactant producing Nocardia species was isolated and identified by a laboratory method. Nocardia species were initially screened and then tested for their ability to produce biosurfactant. The oil spreading test and the surface tension measurements showed that one strain was a biosurfactant producer. The strain with the best surface activity results was selected for further studies and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and compositional analysis proved a biosurfactant structure. RESULTS: Oil spreading test and blue agar plate test confirmed biosurfactants and extracellular anionic glycolipids. E24% assay using olive oil revealed strong emulsifying characteristic of the extracted biosurfactant with 100% emulsifying strength. FTIR spectrum indicated the presence of aliphatic hydrocarbon chain (lipid) along with the polysaccharide portion, confirming the glycolipid nature of the biosurfactant. The stability of the biosurfactant produced in different conditions was significant. Increasing concentration of BS significantly inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. CONCLUSIONS: N. coubleae can be a representative of the genus Nocardia for the production of biosurfactants with beneficial physicochemical properties.