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Publication Number
US-10188113-B2
Publication Date
2019-01-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods for preventing biofilm formation on a surface. The present disclosure also relates to anti-biofilm forming agents, to methods of producing and using them, and to anti-fouling coatings produced therefrom.
Core Innovation
The disclosure relates to anti-fouling and anti-biofilm forming agents derived from bacteria isolated from the epithelial mucosal surfaces of healthy coral reef fish. Reef fish-associated probiotic microbial communities are described as protecting against biofilm formation by producing antibacterial substances and/or signaling molecules that inhibit attachment and/or settlement of foreign organisms.
The specification outlines that microbial extracts and some living isolates, including isolates identified as P5-2, P3-2, P4-4, and P4-4 living cells, significantly inhibit in situ bacterial settlement and fouling. The inhibition is described for both non-photosynthesizing and photosynthesizing eukaryotic cells, and the disclosure discusses characterization of isolates using morphology/physiology, growth curves, fatty acid/FAME and 16S rRNA-based identification, and DNA-related analyses.
The disclosure further explains incorporation of the bacterial extracts into marine coatings or paints to prevent biofilm formation on substrates such as glass slides and boat hull surfaces. It states that this aim is to reduce environmental harm relative to toxic heavy-metal biocides and to provide longer-lasting signaling-based activity less prone to resistance development.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent claims directed to inhibiting growth or killing target organisms when they are growing in or on a biofilm by contacting them with either an extract derived from specified bacterial isolates or the bacterial isolates themselves.
Diethyl-ether extract from specified bacterial isolates for biofilm-associated inhibition or killing
A method of inhibiting growth or killing one or more target organisms comprising bacteria, photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms, and non-photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms, wherein the one or more target organisms are growing in or on a biofilm, the method comprising contacting the target organisms with a composition comprising an extract from one or more bacterial isolates identified by PTA-6763, PTA-6682, PTA-6764, PTA-6681, PTA-6765, and PTA-6766, wherein the extract is obtained using diethyl-ether.
Specified target organisms contacted with isolates for growth inhibition or killing in a biofilm
A method of inhibiting the growth of or killing one or more target organisms selected from the group consisting of bacteria, photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms, and non-photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms, wherein the one or more target organisms are growing in or on a biofilm, comprising contacting the target organism with one or more bacterial isolates selected from the group consisting of PTA-6763, PTA-6682, PTA-6764, PTA-6681, PTA-6765, and PTA-6766.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is that contacting biofilm-associated target organisms with a composition comprising an extract or with bacterial isolates selected from PTA-6763, PTA-6682, PTA-6764, PTA-6681, PTA-6765, and PTA-6766 inhibits growth or kills the target organisms.
Stated Advantages
Reduce environmental harm relative to toxic heavy-metal biocides.
Provide longer-lasting signaling-based activity.
Be less prone to resistance development.
Documented Applications
Marine coatings/paints to prevent biofilm formation on substrates including glass slides and boat hull surfaces.
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