A microtiter-plate screening method for biofilm disinfection and removal

Abstract

A quantitative spectrophotometric method was developed to measure the removal and killing efficacy of antibiofilm agents. Biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus epidermidis were grown in 96-well plates, treated with an agent, then stained with either the biomass indicator crystal violet or the respiratory indicator 5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride. This rapid screening method is sensitive enough to elucidate concentration–response relationships as well as differences between species responses to treatments. Using these assays, agents can be ranked by their ability to remove or kill biofilm.