Maltol As Therapeutic Agent Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Growing In A Biofilm

【Objective】To investigate the effects of iron chelator maltol on the development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm and biofilm bacterial antibiotic resistance; to explore a new approach in the prevention of biofilm bacterium-associated infections; and to provide a theoretical base for the use of bamboo vinegar in medicine.【Methods】A static Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm model was developed to investigate the effect of iron chelator maltol on 1) the biofilm-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa's surface adherence, 2) the production of glycocalyx in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm,3) the twitching motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,and 4) Pseudomonas aeruginosa's susceptibilty to fosfomycin.【Results】⒈Pseudomonas aeruginosa's surface adherence was decreased with increasing maltol concentration. There was significant difference between control and treatment, and significant difference among the three maltol concentrations tested(P=0.001).⒉Maltol had no effect on the production of glycocalyx in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm.There was no significant difference between the control and treatment(P=0.227).⒊By chelating iron, maltol stimulated twitching motility of Pseudomonas aerugino., There was a significant difference between control and treatment, and significant difference among the three maltol concentrations tested(P=0.000).⒋In combination with maltol, fosfomycin killed biofilm-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa efficiently. There was a significant difference between control and treatment(P=0.000).【Conclusions】 Iron chelator maltol affects the development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm and can decrease biofilm bacterial resistance to fosfomycin to some extent. Our date suggest that iron chelator and bamboo vinegar should be investigated further as a possible therapeutic agents against biofilm bacterium-associated infections.