Polymicrobial Biofilm Dynamics of Multidrug-Resistant <i>Candida albicans</i> and Ampicillin-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Antimicrobial Inhibition by Aqueous Garlic Extract

Abstract

The polymicrobial biofilm of C. albicans with E. coli exhibits a dynamic interspecies interaction and is refractory to conventional antimicrobials. In this study, a high biofilm-forming multidrug-resistant strain of C. albicans overcomes inhibition by E. coli in a 24 h coculture. However, following treatment with whole Aqueous Garlic Extract (AGE), these individual biofilms of multidrug-resistant C. albicans M-207 and Ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli ATCC 39936 and their polymicrobial biofilm were prevented, as evidenced by biochemical and structural characterization. This study advances the antimicrobial potential of AGE to inhibit drug-resistant C. albicans and bacterial-associated polymicrobial biofilms, suggesting the potential for effective combinatorial and synergistic antimicrobial designs with minimal side effects.

Keywords

• <i>C. albicans</i>
• <i>E. coli</i>
• polymicrobial biofilm
• aqueous garlic extract
• antimicrobials