The specific effect of gallic acid on Escherichia coli biofilm formation by regulating pgaABCD genes expression

Kang, Jiamu; Li, Qianqian; Liu, Liu; Jin, Wenyuan; Wang, Jingfan; Sun, Yuyang

doi:10.1007/s00253-017-8709-3

Applied genetics and molecular biotechnology
Published: 11 January 2018

The specific effect of gallic acid on Escherichia coli biofilm formation by regulating pgaABCD genes expression

Jiamu Kang¹,
Qianqian Li¹,
Liu Liu¹,
Wenyuan Jin¹,
Jingfan Wang¹ &
Yuyang Sun¹

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology volume 102, pages 1837–1846 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is associated with an array of health-threatening contaminations, some of which are related to biofilm states. The pgaABCD-encoded poly-beta-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (PGA) polymer plays an important role in biofilm formation. This study was conducted to determine the inhibitory effect of gallic acid (GA) against E. coli biofilm formation. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of GA against planktonic E. coli were 0.5 and 4 mg/mL, and minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration and minimal biofilm eradication concentration values of GA against E. coli in biofilms were 2 and 8 mg/mL, respectively. Quantitative crystal violet staining of biofilms and ESEM images clearly indicate that GA effectively, dose-dependently inhibited biofilm formation. CFU counting and confocal laser scanning microscopy measurements showed that GA significantly reduced viable bacteria in the biofilm. The contents of polysaccharide slime, protein, and DNA in the E. coli biofilm also decreased. qRT-PCR data showed that at the sub-MIC level of GA (0.25 mg/mL) and expression of pgaABC genes was downregulated, while pgaD gene expression was upregulated. The sub-MBC level of GA (2 mg/mL) significantly suppressed the pgaABCD genes. Our results altogether demonstrate that GA inhibited viable bacteria and E. coli biofilm formation, marking a novel approach to the prevention and treatment of biofilm-related infections in the food industry.

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Funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support from National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 31301472) and Project Funded by Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (no. 3102016QD075).

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College of Food Engineering and Nutrition Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710119, China
Jiamu Kang, Qianqian Li, Liu Liu, Wenyuan Jin, Jingfan Wang & Yuyang Sun

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Jiamu Kang
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Qianqian Li
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Liu Liu
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Wenyuan Jin
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Jingfan Wang
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Yuyang Sun
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Correspondence to Liu Liu.

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Kang, J., Li, Q., Liu, L. et al. The specific effect of gallic acid on Escherichia coli biofilm formation by regulating pgaABCD genes expression. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 102, 1837–1846 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8709-3

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Received: 13 September 2017
Revised: 21 November 2017
Accepted: 11 December 2017
Published: 11 January 2018
Issue Date: February 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8709-3

Keywords

Gallic acid
Escherichia coli
Biofilm
pgaABCD genes
Food safety