Research Article
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Bioremediation-Associated Antibiofilm and Quorum-Sensing Inhibition by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Petroleum-Contaminated Environments

Year 2026, Volume: 47 Issue: 1, 17 - 24, 27.02.2026

Belgin Erdem , Esin Kıray , Dilek Yalçın , İlkay Açıkgöz Erkaya

https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1800467
https://izlik.org/JA29WA63RZ

Abstract

Petroleum-derived hydrocarbons represent a major environmental concern due to their persistence, toxicity, and disruptive effects on ecosystems. Bioremediation using hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms has gained increasing attention as a sustainable strategy to mitigate such pollution. In this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from petroleum-oil-contaminated soils were screened for their quorum-sensing (QS) inhibitory and antibiofilm activities against pathogenic bacteria. Eleven isolates were identified and tested through agar well diffusion, violacein inhibition, and microtiter plate biofilm assays. Crude extracts significantly inhibited violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472, with dose-dependent suppression ranging from 17.8% to 72.5%. Isolates Z5 and Z10 exhibited the strongest quorum-quenching activities, while Z11 demonstrated high pigment inhibition (64.9% at 50 mg/mL) despite the absence of inhibition zones, suggesting violacein suppression independent of growth restriction. Biofilm inhibition assays revealed selective but substantial activity: Z3 and Z8 reduced Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 51342 biofilms by 91% and 85%, respectively, whereas Z12 and Z13 inhibited Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (65% and 60%), Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (71% and 70%), and Bacillus cereus 709 Roma (88% and 75%). No inhibition was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 or Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644. Overall, the findings suggest that petroleum-associated P. aeruginosa isolates may produce bioactive metabolites with dual anti-QS and antibiofilm functions. These properties not only highlight their ecological adaptation to hydrocarbon-polluted environments but also underline their potential as natural sources of bioactive compounds for bioremediation and antimicrobial applications. The strain-specific variability observed emphasizes the importance of screening environmental isolates for novel quorum-quenching agents with both environmental and clinical relevance.

Keywords

Antibiofilm Quorum sensing inhibition Pseudomonas aeruginosa Petroleum-oil-contaminated Violacein inhibition.

Project Number

Project No: FBA-11-10

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There are 32 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Bacteriology, Infectious Agents
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Belgin Erdem 0000-0001-9108-5561

Esin Kıray 0000-0002-6908-5909

Dilek Yalçın 0000-0003-2127-8186

İlkay Açıkgöz Erkaya 0000-0003-1730-4951

Project Number Project No: FBA-11-10
Submission Date October 10, 2025
Acceptance Date January 20, 2026
Publication Date February 27, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1800467
IZ https://izlik.org/JA29WA63RZ
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 47 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Erdem, B., Kıray, E., Yalçın, D., & Açıkgöz Erkaya, İ. (2026). Bioremediation-Associated Antibiofilm and Quorum-Sensing Inhibition by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Petroleum-Contaminated Environments. Cumhuriyet Science Journal, 47(1), 17-24. https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1800467

As of 2026, Cumhuriyet Science Journal will be published in six issues per year, released in February, April, June, August, October, and December