Abstract

IN VITRO STUDY OF ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIBIOFILM POTENTIAL OF ASCORBIC ACID AGAINST STANDARD STRAINS

*Anuya Aparna Rege, Dipti Bhushan Kolte and Saloni Akhadkar

ABSTRACT

Bacterial biofilms are culprits of various human infectious diseases, industrial corrosion and food contamination. Ascorbic Acid is a food additive, applied as an acidity regulator, antioxidant, food improver and sequestrant in many types of food products. It was found to be stable at various temperatures and pH in previous studies. Assessment of Antibacterial and Antibiofilm potential of Ascorbic Acid could be an added advantage for its usage in the food industry. Hence, in the present in vitro study, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm potential of Ascorbic acid was tested against 6 standard strains, namely, Escherichia coli (ATCC-25922), Salmonella enterica (NCIM-5256), Salmonella typhi (NCTC-786), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC-29212), Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA ATCC-25923), Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC-3750), Mixed Culture-I of gram Negative organisms, Mixed Culture-II of gram Positive organisms &
Mixed Culture-III of all Standard Strains using various assays such as MIC, MBC, Agar Well Diffusion, Time Course study and Antibiofilm assay. The study has revealed broad spectrum antibacterial activity of Ascorbic Acid inhibiting gram positive as well as gram negative bacteria. Additionally, current in vitro study has exhibited Antibiofilm potential of Ascorbic Acid against mono as well as poly-microbial biofilms. The antibiofilm activity was noted in the order of Mixed Culture-III > Mixed Culture-I > MRSA > S. typhi > Mixed Culture-II > E. faecalis > E. coli > S. aureus > S. enterica. Moreover, combination Ascorbic acid + Ciprofloxacin revealed synergistic effect against Biofilms of Gram Positive organisms and Mixed Culture-I. Thus, Ascorbic Acid epitomizes a possible source of effective, cheap and safe Antibacterial and Antibiofilm agent.

Keywords: Ascorbic Acid, Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, Natural Products, Biofilm Assay.