ANTI-INFECTIVE EFFECTS OF FRUIT PHYTOCHEMICAL EXTRACTS AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES

Abstract

Group-A-streptococci (GAS) is the common cause of acute bacterial pharyngitis in children and adults. Streptococcal pharyngitis is initiated by successful colonization followed by establishment of biofilm. The aim of this research was to investigate the anti-infective, anti-biofilm, and anti-adhesion properties of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of ten selected fruits against Streptococcus pyogenes and its virulence factors. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) for the six effective fruit extracts ranged from 0.25 to 4 mg/mL and 4 to 16 mg/mL, respectively. Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration (MBIC) and Minimum Biofilm Eradicating Concentration (MBEC) of cranberry and sumac berry extracts ranged from 1 to 2 mg/mL and 2 to 8 mg/mL, respectively. Minimum concentrations against the adhesion of GAS to uncoated and fibronectin coated substratum ranged from 0.25 to 16 mg/mL. Cranberry and sumac extracts possess notable inhibitory effects against growth, adhesion, biofilm formation and biofilm eradication of GAS.