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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Biomolecules

Citronellol Potentiates Antibiotics Against Escherichia coli O157:H7 via Inhibition of Biofilm Formation

  • Hongxing Zhang
  • Jing Xu
  • Wenkui Bao1
  • Zhanqing Ma1
  • Yaxin Zhou
  • Zhijin Zhang2
  • Zixuan Shang2
  • Jiyu Zhang
  • Yubin Bai
  • Bing Li
  1. 1Qinghai Provincial Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Inspection Center, Xining 810000, China
  2. 2College of Life Science and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
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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.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{zhang2026citronellol,
  title = {{Citronellol Potentiates Antibiotics Against Escherichia coli O157:H7 via Inhibition of Biofilm Formation}},
  author = {Hongxing Zhang and Jing Xu and Wenkui Bao and Zhanqing Ma and Yaxin Zhou and Zhijin Zhang and Zixuan Shang and Jiyu Zhang and Yubin Bai and Bing Li},
  journal = {Biomolecules},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/biom16101439},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/10/1439},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Citronellol Potentiates Antibiotics Against Escherichia coli O157:H7 via Inhibition of Biofilm Formation
AU  - Hongxing Zhang
AU  - Jing Xu
AU  - Wenkui Bao
AU  - Zhanqing Ma
AU  - Yaxin Zhou
AU  - Zhijin Zhang
AU  - Zixuan Shang
AU  - Jiyu Zhang
AU  - Yubin Bai
AU  - Bing Li
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Biomolecules
DO  - 10.3390/biom16101439
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/16/10/1439
AB  - 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.
SN  - 2218-273X
ER  -