A new strain, namely Lysinibacillus sp. BV152.1 was isolated from the rhizosphere of ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) producing metabolites with potent ability to inhibit biofilm formation of an important human pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Staphylococcus aureus, and Serratia marcescens. Structural characterization revealed di-rhamnolipids mixture containing rhamnose (Rha)-Rha-C10-C10, Rha-Rha-C8-C10 and Rha-Rha-C10-C12 in the ratio 7:2:1 as the active principle. Purified di-rhamnolipids as well as commercially available di-rhamnolipids (Rha-Rha-C10-C10, 93%) were used as the substrate for the chemical derivatization for the first time, yielding three semi-synthetic amide derivatives, benzyl-, piperidine- and morpholine. A comparative study of the anti-biofilm, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties revealed that di-Rha from Lysinibacillus sp. BV152.1 were more potent in biofilm inhibition, both cell adhesion and biofilm maturation, than commercial di-rhamnolipids inhibiting 50% of P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation at 50 μg mL-1 and 75 μg mL-1, respectively. None of the di-rhamnolipids exhibited antimicrobial properties at concentrations of up to 500 μg mL-1. Amide derivatization improved inhibition of biofilm formation and dispersion activities of di-rhamnolipids from both sources, with morpholine derivative being the most active causing more than 80% biofilm inhibition at concentrations 100 μg mL-1. Semi-synthetic amide derivatives showed increased antibacterial activity against S. aureus, and also showed higher cytotoxicity. Therefore, described di-rhamnolipids are potent anti-biofilm agents and the described approach can be seen as viable approach in reaching new rhamnolipid based derivatives with tailored biological properties.

: The application of enzymes is expanding across diverse industries due to their nontoxic and biodegradable characteristics. Another advantage is their cost-effectiveness, reflected in reduced processing time, water, and energy consumption. Although Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus, and Streptomyces spp. are successfully used for production of industrially relevant enzymes, they still lag far behind Escherichia coli as hosts for recombinant protein production. Generally, proteins secreted by Bacillus and Streptomyces hosts are released into the culture medium; their native conformation is preserved and easier recovery process enabled. Given the resilience of both hosts in harsh environmental conditions and their spore-forming capability, a deeper understanding and broader use of Bacillus and Streptomyces as expression hosts could significantly enhance the robustness of industrial bioprocesses. This mini-review aims to compare two expression hosts, emphasizing their specific advantages in industrial surroundings such are chemical, detergent, textile, food, animal feed, leather, and paper industries. The homologous sources, heterologous hosts, and molecular tools used for the production of recombinant proteins in these hosts are discussed. The potential to use both hosts as biocatalysts is also evaluated. Undoubtedly, Bacillus and Streptomyces spp. as production hosts possess the potential to take on a more substantial role, providing superior (bio-based) process robustness and flexibility. Key points: • Bacillus and Streptomyces spp. as robust hosts for enzyme production. • Industrially relevant enzyme groups for production in alternative hosts highlighted. • Molecular biology techniques are enabling easier utilization of both hosts.

Antibiotic resistance has become a serious global threat to public health; therefore, improved strategies and structurally novel antimicrobials are urgently needed to combat infectious diseases. Here we report a new type of highly potent 4-aminoquinoline derivatives as quorum sensing inhibitors in Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, exhibiting weak bactericidal activities (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 400 μM). Through detailed structure–activity study, we have identified 7-Cl and 7-CF₃ substituted N-dodecylamino-4-aminoquinolines (5 and 10) as biofilm formation inhibitors with 50% biofilm inhibition at 69 μM and 63 μM in S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa, respectively. These two compounds, 5 and 10, are the first quinoline derivatives with anti-biofilm formation activity reported in S. marcescens. Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) analysis identified structural descriptors such as Wiener indices, hyper-distance-path index (HDPI), mean topological charge (MTC), topological charge index (TCI), and log D(o/w)_exp as the most influential in biofilm inhibition in this bacterial species. Derivative 10 is one of the most potent quinoline type inhibitors of pyocyanin production described so far (IC₅₀ = 2.5 μM). While we have demonstrated that 5 and 10 act as Pseudomonas quinolone system (PQS) antagonists, the mechanism of inhibition of S. marcescens biofilm formation with these compounds remains open since signaling similar to P. aeruginosa PQS system has not yet been described in Serratia and activity of these compounds on acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) signaling has not been detected. Our data show that 7-Cl and 7-CF₃ substituted N-dodecylamino-4-aminoquinolines present the promising scaffolds for developing antivirulence and anti-biofilm formation agents against multidrug-resistant bacterial species.

Mixed microbial infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and pathogenic fungi are commonly found in patients with chronic infections and constitute a significant health care burden. The aim of this study was to address the potential polymicrobial antibiofilm activity of pompia and grapefruit essential oils (EOs). The mechanism of antimicrobial activity of EOs was analysed. EOs of pompia and grapefruit inhibited fungal growth with MIC concentrations between 50 and 250 mg L^{−1}, whereas no effect on P. aeruginosa growth was observed. Both citrus EOs inhibited formation of bacterial and fungal monomicrobial biofilms in concentrations of 50 mg L^{−1} and were efficient in potentiating the activity of clinically used antimicrobials in vitro. The concentration of 10 mg L^{−1} EOs inhibited mixed biofilm formation composed of P. aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus or Scedosporium apiospermum. Citrus EOs affected quorum sensing in P. aeruginosa and caused fast permeabilisation of Candida albicans membrane. Pompia and grapefruit EOs potently inhibited biofilm formation and could be used for the control of common polymicrobial infections.

Five copper(II) complexes 1–5 with aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles, pyrimidine (pm, 1), pyrazine (pz, 2), quinazoline (qz, 3 and 4) and phthalazine (phtz, 5) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The crystallographic results show that, dependent on the ligand structure, complexes 1–5 are of different nuclearity. The antimicrobial efficiency of complexes 1–5 has been evaluated against three clinically relevant microorganisms and none of the complexes showed significant growth inhibiting activity, with values of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the mM range. Since in many bacteria, pathogenicity and virulence are regulated by intercellular communication processes, quorum sensing (QS), the effect of the copper(II) complexes on bacterial QS has also been examined. The results indicate that the investigated complexes inhibit violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, suggesting an anti-QS activity. In order to differentiate, which of the QS pathways was affected by the copper(II) complexes, three biosensor strains were used: the PAO1 ΔrhlIpKD-rhlA and the PA14-R3ΔlasIPrsaI lux strain to directly measure the levels of C4-HSL (N-butanoyl-homoserine lactone) and 3OC12-HSL (N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-homoserine lactone), respectively, and PAO1 ΔpqsA mini-CTX luxPpqsA for the detection of AHQs (2-alkyl-4-quinolones). Complexes 1–5 were shown to be efficient inhibitors of biofilm formation of the human opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, with the qz-containing complex 3 being the most active. Finally, the most anti-QS-active complexes 1 and 3 showed synergistic activity against a multi-drug resistant clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa, when supplied in combination with the known antibiotics piperacillin and ceftazidime.