Lavandula mairei Essential Oil Targets Biofilms and Extracellular Matrix of ESBL-Producing Enterobacteriaceae

AHARRAR, Assya; Elmegdar, Soufiane; Laktib, Asma; Elklheloui, Rajae; Amzil, Khaddouj; Laaraj, Noureddine; Fayzi, Lahbib; Hassi, Mohamed; Msanda, Fouad; Hamadi, Fatima

doi:10.21608/mid.2025.375411.2699

	Lavandula mairei Essential Oil Targets Biofilms and Extracellular Matrix of ESBL-Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Microbes and Infectious Diseases
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 05 June 2025
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.375411.2699
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Authors
Assya AHARRAR¹; Soufiane Elmegdar²; Asma Laktib¹; Rajae Elklheloui²; Khaddouj Amzil¹; Noureddine Laaraj³; Lahbib Fayzi⁴; Mohamed Hassi¹; Fouad Msanda⁵; Fatima Hamadi ¹
¹Agadir faculty of science Ibn zohr university, microbial biotechnology and plant protection laboratory,80000 Agadir, Morocco
²Agadir faculty of science Ibn zohr university, microbial biotechnology and plant protection laboratory, 80000 Agadir, Morocco
³Agadir faculty of science, Ibn zohr university, Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments,80000
⁴Agadir faculty of science, Ibn zohr university, Laboratory of Biotechnologies and Valorization of Natural Resources, 80000 Agadir, Morocco
⁵Agadir faculty of science, Ibn zohr university, Laboratory of Biotechnologies and Valorization of Natural Resources, 80000
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to explore the impact of Lavandula mairei (L. mairei) essential oil (EOs) on critical components of the extracellular matrix in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria, specifically exopolysaccharides (EPS) and proteins, and to evaluate its antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties. Methods: Biofilm formation was assessed using the crystal violet method, while EPS-producing strains were identified through Congo red agar (CRA) assays. Quantification of EPS and protein was performed using the phenol-sulfuric acid and Bradford methods, respectively. the chemical composition of the essential oil was determined using Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results: Remarkably, the essential oil inhibited biofilm formation by up to 75% and reduced EPS and protein production by over 80%, particularly in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter hormaechei strains. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the potential of L. mairei essential oil - which is rich in terpenic and phenolic compounds, in particular carvacrol (78.20%)- as a natural alternative to disrupt EPS and protein synthesis in Enterobacteriaceae, highlighting its promise in preventing hospital-acquired infections
Keywords
Antibiofilm activity; Anti EPS activity; Exopolysaccharide; Protein


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