Confocal and SEM imaging to demonstrate food pathogen- biofilm biocontrol by pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa BTRY1

Abstract

An assortment of redox-active phenazine compounds like pyocyanin with their characteristic blue-green colour are synthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens , which are also considered one of the most commercially valuable microorganisms. In this study, pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa BTRY1 from food sample was assessed for its antibiofilm activity by micro titer plate assay against strong biofilm producers belonging to the genera Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium and Micrococcus. Pyocyanin inhibited biofilm activity in very minute concentrations. This was also confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Both SEM and CLSM helped to visualize the biocontrol of biofilm formation by eight pathogens. The imaging and quantification by CLSM also established the impact of pyocyanin on biofilm-biocontrol mainly in the food industry.