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Anti‐Biofilm Properties of Flax, Chia, and Hemp Seed Oil Extracts
Author(s) -
Menjivar Jessica Liseth,
Bendaoud Meriem
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.05146
Subject(s) - biofilm , staphylococcus epidermidis , antimicrobial , pseudomonas aeruginosa , microbiology and biotechnology , candida albicans , pathogenic bacteria , staphylococcus aureus , antibiotics , antibiotic resistance , biology , tea tree oil , bacteria , microorganism , food science , essential oil , genetics
Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor and a crucial step in the pathogenesis of bacterial infection for certain microorganisms. Bacteria attaching to surfaces and forming biofilms are resistant to antibiotic treatment and antimicrobial agents, which makes them difficult to eradicate. Worldwide, an increasing number of pathogenic bacteria and yeast have been gaining antibiotic and anti‐fungal resistance. This is a critical problem for public health as millions of people acquire infections from pathogenic antibiotic resistant microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Candida albicans . For many years now, scientists have been looking for natural alternatives like herbs, oils, and seed extracts to control the rise of antibiotic resistant microbial infections and support better health. Chia, Flax, and Hemp seed oil extracts have been found to support skin health and improve immunity and cardiovascular function. However, very little is known about their effects on the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. The purpose of this study is to test these oil‐seed‐extracts for anti‐biofilm properties. Using the biofilm assay we were able to show that Chia seed oil extract and Hemp seed oil extract had the most effective anti‐biofilm properties against P. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis . Preliminary chemical characterization of these oils was initiated to determine the active fraction displaying anti‐biofilm properties. Additional testing will be done to further characterize the active compound in each of these oils. Support or Funding Information This project received support from US Education Department Title III Part F HSI grant # P031C160155