The activity of silver against Escherichia coli biofilm is increased by a lipopeptide biosurfactant

Can J Microbiol. 2010 Mar;56(3):272-8. doi: 10.1139/w10-007.

Abstract

Biological contamination of surfaces, both in industry and in health care, plays an important role as a potential vector of disease transmission. Metals have been described to be effective antibiofilm agents, and the efficacy of silver ions as a disinfectant has been known for centuries. The activity of AgNO3 combined with the lipopeptide biosurfactant V9T14 has been studied against a preformed Escherichia coli biofilm on the Calgary Biofilm Device. Results indicated that the activity of silver can be synergistically enhanced by the presence of V9T14, both allowing for a reduction in the quantity of silver used and for greater antimicrobial activity. The concentration of silver needed to obtain this reduction in the silver-biosurfactant solution was from 129- to 258-fold less than the concentration of silver alone. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a synergistic interaction between a lipopeptide biosurfactant and silver has been observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Lipopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Silver Nitrate / pharmacology*
  • Surface-Active Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Lipopeptides
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • V9T14 lipopeptide
  • Silver Nitrate