<i>In vitro</i> anti-quorum sensing activity of phytol

<div><p>Anti-quorum sensing activity of the diterpene phytol was evaluated <i>in vitro</i> for the first time. This compound (at three sub-MIC concentrations – 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 MIC, respectively) reduced the formation of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> PAO1 biofilm in the range of 74.00–84.33% exhibiting higher activity than the both positive controls used, streptomycin and ampicillin. Phytol (0.5 MIC) also effectively reduced <i>P. aeruginosa</i> twitching and flagella motility. Indeed, the bacteria treated were incapable of producing a twitching zone and had almost round, smooth and regular colony edges. Finally, the tested compound (0.5 MIC) exhibited good <i>P. aeruginosa</i> pyocyanin inhibitory activity (51.94%) practically to the same extent as streptomycin (52.09%). According to the experimental data obtained, this phytol property may inspire design of medical foods targeting <i>P. aeruginosa</i> quorum sensing activity.</p>