Improvement of a low-cost protocol for a simultaneous comparative evaluation of hydrolytic activity between sessile and planktonic cells: Candida albicans as a study model

Abstract

Candida albicans is often implicated in nosocomial infections with fatal consequences. Its virulence is contributed to hydrolytic enzymes and biofilm formation. Previous research focused on studying these virulence factors individually. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of biofilm formation on the hydrolytic activity using an adapted low-cost method. Eleven strains of C. albicans were used. The biofilms were formed on pre-treated silicone discs using 24-well plates and then deposited on the appropriate agar to test each enzyme, while the planktonic cells were conventionally seeded. Biofilms were analysed using Raman spectroscopy, fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. The adapted method provided an evaluation of hydrolytic enzymes activity in C. albicans biofilm and showed that sessile cells had a higher phospholipase and proteinase activities compared with planktonic cells. These findings were supported by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, which provided valuable insights into the virulence mechanisms of C. albicans during biofilm formation.

Keywords:

• Candida albicans
• hydrolytic activity
• planktonic
• sessile
• Raman spectroscopy
• microscopic imaging

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS), the Algerian Directorate General for Scientific Research and Technological Development (DGRSDT-MESRS) for the support and would like to warmly thank Ms. Benmarouf Sarra for her invaluable assistance in reviewing the English language of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.