Busting Biofilms - Monolaurin and Biofilm Research
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Busting
Biofilms
Introduction to Biofilms
By forming a collective in biofilms, bacteria and fungi survive and nearly guarantee their growth and expansion [Ref #1]. Bacteria and fungi thrive in biofilms because of the large number of species present -allowing the biofilm to endure and adapt. If a toxic substance is presented, the biome mutates by choosing the most adaptable species which often leads to antibiotic resistance. Biofilms often cause infections that are complex, chronic, and immune to antibiotic treatment. The effects of contamination are often widespread and costly: from clinical treatment infections to outbreaks like salmonella and recurring fungal infection [Ref #2].
Monolaurin Research and Disrupting Biofilms
Because of its antibiotic resistance, researchers need to look for other ways to control biofilms and monolaurin may be one of these alternative forms to explore.
Monolaurin is a natural compound, derived from the lauric acid content of coconut and palm kernel oil, has been studied for its potential to support a healthy immune response [Ref #3]. Select laboratory studies have explored its potential as a biofilm disruptor which include:
Research on Monolaurin and Salmonella
Monolaurin was studied against some strains of salmonella with single lipopolysaccharide layers. The lipopolysaccharide layers of biofilms are responsible for adhesion, growth, and protection of bacterial and fungal culture. Monolaurin's potential health properties may act as a biofilm disruptor in this layer, as expressed in the research findings [Ref #4].
“In vitro, glycerol monolaurate (GML) Gel was bactericidal for all broth culture and biofilm organisms in <1 hour and <4 hour, respectively; no bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) were detected after the entire 24 h test period. In vivo, GML Gel inhibited bacterial growth in the surgical incision sites, compared to no growth inhibition in controls. GML Gel significantly reduced inflammation, as viewed by lack of redness in and below the incision sites. Our findings suggest that 5% GML Gel is useful as a potent topical antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent for prevention of infections.” [Ref #4]
Research on Monolaurin and fungal growth in the mycelium
The mycelium is responsible for feeding the fungal biofilm through several digestive enzymes. Trehalose is one of the digestive enzymes responsible for both growth and adaptation. Without trehalose, the mycelium cannot get any nutrition [Ref #5]. Monolaurin studies suggest it may be potent against trehalose in laboratory settings.
"Trehalose monocaprylate showed the highest inhibition of biofilm forming property against Staphylococcus aureus (86.25%) at 99.2 mM and trehalose dipalmitate had lowest IC50 of 13.23 mM. Furthermore, their anti-inflammatory property was studied in vitro using 15-LOX inhibition assay and human red blood cell membrane stabilization assay. In the confirmatory in vivo tests using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay, inflammation in disease control group reached up to 63% as against 32% and 20% for trehalose dilaurate and diclofenac treated groups, respectively. THFAE can hence find potential applications in pharmaceuticals, functional foods, and nutraceuticals." [Ref #6]
Research on inhibiting bacterial genes that are responsible for releasing toxins.
A study on monolaurin suggested that the compound may support the fortification of host cells from toxic shock in laboratory settings [Ref #7].
“Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is a naturally occurring surfactant that is used widely as an emulsifier in the food and cosmetics industries and is generally regarded as lacking in important biological activities. The recent observation that it inhibits the production of staphylococcal toxic shock toxin-1.
In this report, we show that GML inhibits the synthesis of most staphylococcal toxins and other exoproteins and that it does so at the level of transcription. We find that GML blocks the induction but not the constitutive synthesis of beta-lactamase, suggesting that it acts by interfering with signal transduction.” [Ref #7]
Research on Monolaurin and the mycelium
Fungal infections in the female reproductive system are complicated to treat. Most antifungals damage the mycelium but have the side effect of destabilizing the body's PH. Published research suggests monolaurin may have an impact fungal structures without possible disruption of natural acidic levels [Ref #10].
"The effect of monolaurin on the sporulation ability of this fungus was investigated. The culture material from the infected sausages that contained monolaurin was inoculated on a freshly prepared medium that did not contain any inhibitory compound and was microscopically examined. The results are presented in Figure 6. As can be seen at the micrographs the emulsifier had a very pronounced effect on the morphology of the mycelium and on the appearance of the fruiting structures, in general." [Ref# 10]
Research on biofilm formation
By changing biofilm formation, monolaurin appears to break down the defense structure of biofilms in some studies.
“Both glycerol monolaurate (GML) and lauric acid were effective in inhibiting biofilm development as measured by decreased numbers of viable biofilm-associated bacteria as well as decreased biofilm biomass. Compared with lauric acid on a molar basis, GML represented a more effective inhibitor of biofilms formed by either S. aureus or E. faecalis.” [Ref #8]
Research on immune system function
Biofilms' antibiotic resistance can be difficult for patients who are immunocompromised. Some laboratory research on monolaurin suggests it may support the body’s natural defenses though stimulating the inflammatory response [Ref #9].
“Monolaurin (also known as glycerol monolaurate) is a natural compound found in coconut oil and is known for its protective biological activities as an antimicrobial agent.
It can be concluded that monolaurin has a potential antifungal activity against C. albicans and can modulate the pro-inflammatory response of the host.” [Ref #9]
Conclusion
Biofilm infections are complex and can be costly. As biofilms learn to adapt, alternative forms of treatment may become necessary. As research on monolaurin’s potential health properties grows, additional attention should be placed on its potential to support immune health in response to biofilms. More research is needed to explore monolaurin’s potential benefits, if any, on biofilms.
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References
Høiby, Niels et al. “The Clinical Impact of Bacterial Biofilms.” International Journal of Oral Science 3.2 (2011): 55–65. PMC. Web. 16 June 2018.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3469878/
Giaouris, Efstathios et al. “Intra- and Inter-Species Interactions within Biofilms of Important Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens.” Frontiers in Microbiology 6 (2015): 841. PMC. Web. 16 June 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4542319/
Seleem, Dalia et al. “ In Vitro Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Monolaurin against Candida Albicans Biofilms.” Ed. Pankaj Goyal. PeerJ 4 (2016): e2148. PMC. Web. 16 June 2018.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4924139/
Mueller, Elizabeth A., and Patrick M. Schlievert. “Non-Aqueous Glycerol Monolaurate Gel Exhibits Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Activity against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Pathogens.” Ed. Gunnar F Kaufmann. PLoS ONE10.3 (2015): e0120280. PMC. Web. 16 June 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4370562/
Parente-Rocha, Juliana Alves et al. “Antifungal Resistance, Metabolic Routes as Drug Targets, and New Antifungal Agents: An Overview about Endemic Dimorphic Fungi.” Mediators of Inflammation 2017 (2017): 9870679. PMC. Web. 16 June 2018.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5485324/
Marathe SJ, Shah NN, Singhal RS. "Enzymatic synthesis of fatty acid esters of trehalose: Process optimization, characterization of the esters and evaluation of their bioactivities. " Bioorg Chem. 2020 Jan;94:103460. doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103460. Epub 2019 Nov 21.
Projan SJ, Brown-Skrobot S, Schlievert PM, Vandenesch F, Novick RP. "Glycerol monolaurate inhibits the production of beta-lactamase, toxic shock toxin-1, and other staphylococcal exoproteins by interfering with signal transduction." J Bacteriol. 1994 Jul;176(14):4204-9.
Hess DJ, Henry-Stanley MJ, Wells CL. The Natural Surfactant Glycerol Monolaurate Significantly Reduces Development of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis Biofilms. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2015 Oct;16(5):538-42. doi: 10.1089/sur.2014.162. Epub 2015 Jun 25.
Seleem, D., Chen, E., Benso, B., Pardi, V., & Murata, R. M. (2016). In vitro evaluation of antifungal activity of monolaurin against Candida albicans biofilms. PeerJ, 4, e2148.
Mladenoska, I., Nikolovska, V., & Puzderliska, L. (2012). Model meat pasteurized sausages enriched with monolaurin as nutraceuticals with pronounced antimicrobial properties. Food and Feed research, 39(2), 69-71.
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