Composition for inhibiting biofilm formation containing raffinose as an active ingredient and method for inhibiting biofilm formation using the same

Raffinose composition that inhibits biofilm formation without suppressing Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth by lowering c-di-GMP levels through LecA binding

This technology utilizes raffinose, a non-reducing trisaccharide found in natural sources like sugar beet molasses and cottonseed, as an active ingredient to inhibit the formation of biofilms by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Bacteria within biofilms are 10 to 1,000 times more resistant to antimicrobial agents than planktonic bacteria, making them extremely difficult to remove via sterilization or disinfection once they colonize a surface. Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms impair lung function in cystic fibrosis patients, cause malfunctions in medical devices and implants, and lead to performance degradation and increased maintenance costs for industrial piping and membrane filters. Traditional bactericidal methods face resistance issues, and specific natural compounds with anti-biofilm activity have remained largely unidentified.

This technology works by having raffinose bind to LecA, an intracellular carbohydrate-binding protein, which lowers the levels of c-di-GMP—a signaling molecule for biofilm formation. At effective concentrations, it does not affect bacterial growth, thereby minimizing the pressure to develop resistance. It can be applied as a surface coating for medical devices like catheters and implants, to prevent biofouling on water treatment membranes, and for sanitation in food processing equipment and household products. It offers a way to block the formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms using a single, inexpensive natural sugar without the need for biocides.

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Key Features:

• Raffinose active ingredient that binds to LecA, a biofilm intracellular sugar receptor protein, to lower cellular c-di-GMP levels
• Biofilm inhibition composition that does not affect the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at raffinose concentrations of 1 to 100 μM
• Raffinose composition for inhibiting biofilms formed on the surfaces of medical devices, medical materials, or medical implants
• Raffinose composition for inhibiting biofilms formed on water treatment membrane surfaces, food products, and household goods

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Education for the reverse engineering of biofilm inhibitors to control biofouling in reverse osmosis processes.

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