{
  "abstract": "The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) demands new treatments, especially for biofilm-associated infections where bacteria tolerate antibiotics. Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157) is a virulent foodborne pathogen that causes severe haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. The LuxS/AI-2 quorum sensing (QS) system regulates both biofilm formation and motility in this pathogen. Here, we used a luxS-eGFP reporter to screen for QS modulators and identified citronellol as a potent candidate. Citronellol disrupts biofilm formation and swimming motility. These effects were accompanied by reduced luxS expression and modulation of lsr operon genes, consistent with interference with LuxS/AI-2 signalling. As a result, citronellol enhanced the antibacterial activity of conventional antibiotics at sub-MIC doses. Importantly, the citronellol–fosfomycin combination improved survival and reduced hepatic bacterial burden in a murine systemic infection model. These benefits are correlated with restored intestinal barrier integrity, including upregulated tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and Occludin). Together, these results support the continued development of citronellol-based combinations as promising anti-biofilm strategies.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Qinghai Provincial Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Inspection Center, Xining 810000, China",
    "College of Life Science and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Hongxing Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jing Xu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Wenkui Bao"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zhanqing Ma"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yaxin Zhou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zhijin Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zixuan Shang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jiyu Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yubin Bai"
    },
    {
      "name": "Bing Li"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/52a2e0vzxyf0w.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/biom16101439",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13702520/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "52a2e0vzxyf0w",
  "issns": [
    "2218-273X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/10/1439",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7216214327",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13702520/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13702520",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/52a2e0vzxyf0w.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:59Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/biom16101439",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/10/1439"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:44Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13702520",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13702520"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Citronellol Potentiates Antibiotics Against Escherichia coli O157:H7 via Inhibition of Biofilm Formation",
  "title_text": "Citronellol Potentiates Antibiotics Against Escherichia coli O157:H7 via Inhibition of Biofilm Formation",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:44Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/52a2e0vzxyf0w",
  "venue": "Biomolecules",
  "versions": []
}