Phytochemical profiling as a solution to palliate disinfectant limitations

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Joana Malheiro (Author) FEUP; I. Gomes (Author) Other; Anabela Borges (Author) FEUP; Margarida M. S. M. Bastos (Author) FEUP; J.-Y. Maillard (Author) Other; Maria Fernanda Borges (Author) FCUP; Manuel Simões (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Biofouling

Vol. 32

Pages: 1007-1016

ISSN: 0892-7014

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 24 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 26 Citations

Associated Projects

Fitodesinfetantes - Desinfeção de bactérias planctónicas e biofilmes em ambientes hospitalares com produtos fitoquímicos

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-XAZ

DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2016.1220550

Abstract (EN): The indiscriminate use of biocides for general disinfection has contributed to the increased incidence of antimicrobial tolerant microorganisms. This study aims to assess the potential of seven phytochemicals (tyrosol, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, cinnamaldehyde, coumaric acid, cinnamic acid and eugenol) in the control of planktonic and sessile cells of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol showed antimicrobial properties, minimum inhibitory concentrations of 3-5 and 5-12 mM and minimum bactericidal concentrations of 10-12 and 10-14 mM against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Cinnamic acid was able to completely control adhered bacteria with effects comparable to peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite and it was more effective than hydrogen peroxide (all at 10 mM). This phytochemical caused significant changes in bacterial membrane hydrophilicity. The observed effectiveness of phytochemicals makes them interesting alternatives and/or complementary products to commonly used biocidal products. Cinnamic acid is of particular interest for the control of sessile cells.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10