South brazilian bromeliads-associated microorganisms as source of antibiofilm and antibiotic compounds

Abstract

The majority of the World’s biodiversity remains to be rationally explored, especially the remaining Atlantic Forest in Brazil and preeminently the abounding plants bromeliads. Bromeliad tanks (phytotelma) act as reservoirs throughout the year, maintaining a complex and high microbial biodiversity. In this context, microbial metabolites may offer many biological activities. Studies on the microbial activity associating bromeliad are rare, hence, the present work studied the bioprospection of antibiotic and antibiofilm microbial metabolites. Six water tank samples were collected from Ilópolis in the Park of Ibama (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) and aliquots were inoculated in different culture media. Ninety-three microorganisms were isolated after primarily selection. Seven microorganisms were chosen to follow the process of fermentation and tested as antibiotic and antibiofilm metabolites against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa., 35% and 64% fractions have produced antibacterial activity and antibiofilm activity against S. aureus, presenting good preliminary results and demonstrating that the bromeliad are an important niche to be explored. Highlights Water tank bromeliads as a richness microbial biodiversity with potential compounds with activity against microorganisms and biofilm.