An apparent lack of synergy between degradative enzymes againstStaphylococcus aureusbiofilms

Abstract

AbstractThe use of enzymes represents an approach to combat bacterial infections by degrading extracellular biomolecules to disperseStaphylococcus aureusbiofilms. Commercial enzyme preparations, including cellulase, amylase, pectinase, zymolyase, and pepsin, exhibit concentration-dependent dispersion ofS. aureusbiofilms. Here, we report that low concentrations of these enzymes generally lack synergy when combined or added together sequentially to biofilms. Only the addition of a protease (pepsin) followed by a commercial mixture of degradative enzymes fromArthrobacter luteus(zymolyase 20T), demonstrated synergy and was effective at dispersingS. aureusbiofilms. A more purified mixture ofArthrobacter luteusenzymes (zymolyase 100T) showed improved dispersal ofS. aureusbiofilms compared to zymolyase 20T but lacked synergy with pepsin. This study emphasizes the complexity of enzymatic biofilm dispersal and the need for tailored approaches based on the properties of degradative enzymes and biofilm composition.