Biofilm research is growing rapidly due to the widespread existence of
biofilms in pathogens and their resistance to a variety of antimicrobial therapies. World
Health Organization in 2017 categorised pathogens into three categories based on their
AMR [Antimicrobial resistance] and severity of infection viz. critical, high and
medium. Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and organisms belonging
to Enterobacteriaceae family are top priority pathogens- ‘critical’, amongst which the
majority of them are reported to cause the infection due to biofilm formation. As
antibiotic resistance has increased tremendously in the last few years, the current
research is concentrated on the development of effective approaches to inhibit biofilm
formation by bacteria. Anti-biofilm activity is mediated by a spectrum of molecules
obtained from plants, mammals, fungi, microbes, and marine sponges. The chapter
gives a comprehensive idea about natural bioactives from plant and other sources that
act as anti-biofilm agents. Clinical validation of these bioactives will aid the medical
field with alternate preventive and treatment methods against pathogenic biofilms.
Keywords: Anti-biofilm agents, Antibiotic resistance, Acinetobacter baumannii, Bioactives, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
