Chapter 7: Phytochemical-based Drugs for Salmonella Biofilm Disruption

The prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella biofilms pose significant challenges in infection treatment and food safety. Utilizing plant extracts and phytochemicals as phyto-drugs offers an alternative strategy to control Salmonella biofilm formation. Phyto-drugs, including plant extracts, essential oils, and purified phytochemicals, individually or combined, are crucial in addressing these challenges. Terpenes, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and alkaloids like quercetin, piperine, and berberine show promise for future phyto-drug development against Salmonella biofilm. Thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol, notably from Origanum vulgare, exhibit significant antibiofilm activity, inducing stress-related proteins in Salmonella. Other essential oil constituents like farnesol isomers, malvalic acid, isoshogaol, and Z-phytol also show promise. Plant-derived extracts and phytochemicals act against both planktonic and biofilm forms by disrupting biofilm formation, motility, adhesion, and QS. Strategies include inhibiting cellulose synthesis and disrupting QS systems. Phyto-synthesized nanoparticles offer a promising avenue, effectively combating microbial biofilms while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Integrating plant extracts and phytochemicals with synthetic antimicrobial drugs demonstrates potential in addressing biofilm-related issues and antibiotic resistance.