Exploration of anti-quorum sensing properties of eicosyl heptafluorobutyrate against a clinical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen. It causes life-threatening diseases through quorum sensing (QS)-associated virulence. Thus, the attenuation of QS may be an effective strategy to combat the pathogen. In this study, Shewanella indica SU1 isolated from the marine environment showed QS inhibitory activity against biosensor strain Chromobacterium violaceum MTCC 2656. The lead compound was purified and tentatively identified as eicosyl heptafluorobutyrate (EPB). P. aeruginosa MCC 3457 was treated with EPB, and results revealed a reduced production of pyocyanin (79%), rhamnolipids (54%), exopolysaccharide (60%), and biofilm (66%). The motility was greatly affected in EPB-treated cultures. In an in silico approach, EPB exhibited good binding interactions and stability with the target protein LasR. The pharmacokinetics studies divulged that EPB, the lead compound, can be a good drug candidate. This is the first report on the QS inhibitory activity of S. indica SU1 and EPB as an anti-QS compound.