The polymicrobial biofilm of C. albicans with E. coli exhibits a dynamic interspecies interaction and is refractory to conventional antimicrobials. In this study, a high biofilm-forming multidrug-resistant strain of C. albicans overcomes inhibition by E. coli in a 24 h coculture. However, following treatment with whole Aqueous Garlic Extract (AGE), these individual biofilms of multidrug-resistant C. albicans M-207 and Ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli ATCC 39936 and their polymicrobial biofilm were prevented, as evidenced by biochemical and structural characterization. This study advances the antimicrobial potential of AGE to inhibit drug-resistant C. albicans and bacterial-associated polymicrobial biofilms, suggesting the potential for effective combinatorial and synergistic antimicrobial designs with minimal side effects.
Keywords: C. albicans; E. coli; antimicrobials; aqueous garlic extract; polymicrobial biofilm.