Phytolectin conjugated positively charged fatty acid amide impairs virulence factors and inhibits cross‐kingdom biofilm formation of Candida albicans and uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Aim: Polymicrobial biofilm encasing cross‐kingdom micro‐organisms are apparent in medicine, which imposes serious resistance to conventional antimicrobial treatment. The objective of the study was to explore Butea monosperma seed lectin (BMSL) conjugated antimicrobial lipid, 2‐((N‐[2‐hydroxyethyl]palmitamido)methyl)‐1‐methylpyridin‐1‐ium iodide (cN16E) to inhibit mixed‐species biofilm of uropathogenic Escherichia coli–Candida albicans. Methods and Results: Antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm of cN16E and cN16E‐BMSL conjugate (BcN16E) were analysed against single‐ and mixed microbial cultures. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) indicates that the MIC of cN16E‐BMSL conjugate (BcN16E) against cohabiting UPEC‐C. albicans was eightfold lower than the cN16E. BcN16E affects membrane integrity to elicit antimicrobial activity. BcN16E inhibits the dual‐species biofilm even with 16 times lower MIC of cN16E. BcN16E impairs the biofilm‐associated virulence factors which include extracellular polysaccharides, cell surface hydrophobicity, swimming, swarming motilities, hyphal filamentous morphology, curli formation and haemolysin activity. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated BcN16E ability to inhibit dual‐species biofilm formation on a urinary catheter. Conclusion: The study revealed that the BcN16E is better than cN16E in impairing biofilm‐associated virulence factors and exerting antimicrobial activity. Significance and Impact of the Study: The findings emphasize that phytolectin has the potential to enhance the anti‐virulence strategies of antimicrobials against cross‐kingdom biofilm‐related infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]