Use of Alternative Sources (AMP, Nanomaterials, Phytocompounds) for Handling Biofilm-Associated Infections in Livestock
摘要
Biofilms are syntrophic cluster of bacterial cells remaining embedded within a self-produced extrapolymeric substance matrix. The biofilm lifestyle offers the bacteria maximum resistance towards antibiotics and to the host immune system. However, biofilm-associated infections are not rare among livestock besides humans. Bacterial biofilm-mediated diseases threaten the dairy industries and the poultry farms leading to deterioration in economy and livestock welfare. On the other hand, increased human consumption of poultry and dairy products also poses serious disease threats to the humans. Due to ever-increasing antibiotic resistance, these diseases can no longer be treated using the available antibacterial approaches and alternative options need to be sought out for remediating these biofilm-associated infections among livestock. Nature presents us with a plethora of alternative products that could be used in eradicating chronic biofilm-mediated diseases. Antimicrobial peptides like nisin and plectasin have recently gained popularity due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, quick killing activities, low toxicity and cell selectivity. Similarly, the application of phytocompounds is seen as an alternative therapeutic method; hence, research is being conducted to develop ethnopharmacological knowledge of medicinal plants against livestock illnesses. Alternatively, biogenic nanoparticles known to be non-toxic to animal cells are commonly utilized to control livestock diseases. This chapter focuses on the use of various phytocompounds, antimicrobial peptides from bacterial sources and biogenic nanomaterials in elimination of biofilm-associated infections in poultry and farm animals. Since all these remedial measures are coming from completely natural sources, they are presumed to be less toxic, eco-friendly and more cost-effective.