The antioxidant, antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of biosurfactants derived from Enterococcus faecalis BHT-2

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic molecules containing one hydrophilic and one hydrophobic moiety. They are synthesized by microorganisms either on the cell surface or secreted extracellularly which serve as natural surfactant substitutes with a wide range of applications in different sectors. The present study aims to assess the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm properties of biosurfactants derived from Enterococcus faecalis BHT-2 against different microorganisms (E. clocae, P. aeruginosa, M. luteus, S. aureus, C. albicans, and E. coli). Derived biosurfactants showed antimicrobial activity against test microorganisms in the range between 0.6 and 3 mg/mL. It displayed potent antibiofilm ability by inhibiting the bacterial attachment to surfaces, leading to the disruption of biofilm formation by altering the integrity of microbial biofilms when observed on coverslips by SEM and fluorescence microscopy. The treatment of microbial biofilms by biosurfactants greatly reduced the exopolysaccharide biomass, that is, carbohydrate and protein content. Thus, in vitro assessment of antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of biosurfactants derived from E. faecalis BHT-2 indicated that it act as a better alternative antimicrobial agents.