Enhancing the Inactivation of Biofilm-Forming Pathogenic Bacteria With Sodium Pentaborate Pentahydrate by Ultrasound
ChemistrySelect, vol.11, no.29, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 11 Issue: 29
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1002/slct.73895
- Journal Name: ChemistrySelect
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Keywords: antibiofilm activity, boron compounds, minimum inhibitory concentration, sodium pentaborate pentahydrate, ultrasound
- Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Biofilm-forming bacteria in water system represent a persistent challenge due to their increased tolerence to conventional antimicrobial treatments. In this study, the antimicrobial effects of combined application of ultrasound and a boron derivative Sodium Pentaborate Pentahydrate (NaB), against biofilm-forming pathogenic bacteria were investigated as a boron-based ultrasound-assisted antibiofilm strategy. NaB exhibited antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 16 mg/mL for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and 8 mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus. In biofilm attachment assays, the combined NaB-US treatment reduced viable biofilm-associated bacterial counts from 4.92 to 4.71 log CFU/mL for E. coli, from 5.18 to 4.46 log CFU/mL for K. pneumoniae, and from 5.73 to 5.45 log CFU/mL for S.aureus compared with NaB treatment alone. Similarly, biofilm inhibition increased from 22.20% to 30.36% for E.coli, from 56.30% to 68.29% for K. pneumoniae, and from 74.00% to 82.44% for S. aureus following ultrasound-assisted treatment. These findings demonstrate that ultrasoundsignifically enhances the antibiofilm efficacy of NaB, likely through cavitation-mediated disruption of bacterial aggregates and improved antimicrobial penetration. The synergistic combination of NaB and ultrasound represents a promising and environmentally friendly strategy for controlling biofilm forming pathogens in water systems and disinfection applications.