Enzyme-Mediated Control of Biofilm Formation

Biofilms are structured microbial communities embedded within a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), which confers mechanical stability, mediates adhesion to surfaces and impedes penetration of antimicrobials. Traditional chemical or antibiotic treatments often fail to eradicate established biofilms due to the protective matrix, metabolic heterogeneity and presence of persister cells. Enzyme-mediated strategies target key components of the biofilm matrix—proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids and lipids—thereby disrupting structural integrity and enhancing antimicrobial susceptibility. Proteases cleave proteinaceous adhesins, glycoside hydrolases degrade polysaccharide scaffolds, and nucleases fragment extracellular DNA, each contributing to matrix dispersal. Recent advances include the design of enzyme cocktails tailored to multispecies biofilms, immobilisation of enzymes on nanoparticles to improve stability, and sequential application protocols that maximise matrix degradation. Such approaches have demonstrated promise in healthcare, industrial cleaning and marine antifouling, offering sustainable and selective biofilm control without reliance on harsh chemicals.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have revealed that a plant-derived nonspecific protease can effectively dismantle Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms, reducing thickness by several-fold and enhancing antibiotic penetration. Treatment with this protease at microgram concentrations led to marked decreases in viable cells within the matrix and synergised with ciprofloxacin and quaternary ammonium compounds, lowering required antibiotic doses by orders of magnitude, while exhibiting minimal cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. Another investigation focused on Escherichia coli O157:H7 biofilms, demonstrating that targeted application of DNase I, proteinase K and cellulase disrupted extracellular DNA, protein and cellulose components, respectively. Sequential enzyme combinations produced differential reductions in biofilm biomass and, when followed by sodium hypochlorite treatment, achieved synergistic microbial inactivation, illustrating the importance of treatment order in multi-step decontamination protocols.

Enzyme-Mediated Control of Biofilm Formation publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in enzyme-mediated control of biofilm formation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biofilm: A surface-attached microbial community encased in a self-secreted extracellular matrix.

Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS): A complex mixture of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids that embeds biofilm cells.

Protease: An enzyme that hydrolyses peptide bonds in proteins, disrupting proteinaceous components of the matrix.

Glycoside hydrolase: An enzyme such as cellulase or amylase that cleaves glycosidic bonds in polysaccharide constituents of the matrix.

References

1. Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in biofilms. npj Antimicrobials and Resistance (2024).
2. Targeting microbial biofilms using Ficin, a nonspecific plant protease. Scientific Reports (2017).
3. Bio-enzymes for inhibition and elimination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 biofilm and their synergistic effect with sodium hypochlorite. Scientific Reports (2019).
4. Amylases: Biofilm Inducer or Biofilm Inhibitor?. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2021).
5. Enhancing the Thermo-Stability and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Alginate Lyase by Immobilization on Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Nanoparticles. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2019).
6. In vitro activities of cellulase and ceftazidime, alone and in combination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. BMC Microbiology (2021).