Antibiofilm Potential of Alpha-Amylase from a Marine Bacterium, Pantoea agglomerans

Bacterial biofilms are a big menace to industries and the environment and also in the health sector, accumulation of which is a major challenge. Despite intensive efforts to curb this issue, a definitive solution is yet to be achieved. Enzyme-templated disruption of the extracellular matrix of biofilm and its control and elimination are emerging as an efficient and greener strategy. The study describes the antibiofilm potential of alpha-amylase from the marine microorganism Pantoea agglomerans PCI05, against food-borne pathogens. Amylase exhibited stability in a wide pH range and retained 50% of its activity at temperatures as high as 100 degrees C. Thermal analysis of the enzyme produced showed thermal stability, up to 130 degrees C. From these findings, it can be envisaged that the alpha-amylase produced from P. agglomerans can be used for starch liquefaction; it was also evaluated for antibiofilm activity. Amylase from this marine bacterium was found to efficiently disrupt the preformed biofilms of food-borne pathogens such as Bacillus cereus, Serratia marcescens, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica enterica serotype Typhi based on the value of biofilm inhibitory concentrations.