Articles

The Role of Potassium Silicate in Quorum Quenching Against the Virulence of Ralstonia solanacearum, the Causal Agent of Bacterial Wilt in Tomato

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Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum remains one of the most destructive constraints in tomato production worldwide. The pathogen’s virulence is tightly regulated by quorum sensing (QS), which controls exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis, extracellular enzyme secretion, and biofilm formation. Targeting QS through quorum quenching (QQ) represents a promising anti-virulence strategy without imposing the selective pressure associated with conventional bactericides. This study investigated the dual role of potassium silicate as (i) a QS-interfering agent that modulates bacterial virulence traits and (ii) an inducer of host systemic resistance. Potassium silicate at 1 mM significantly reduced EPS production and biofilm formation, whereas 2 mM enhanced peroxidase activity in tomato plants. Disease severity was reduced during the early stages of infection in silica-treated plants. These findings indicate that potassium silicate attenuates bacterial wilt development through the integrated modulation of pathogen virulence and host defense responses. This study provides mechanistic insight into silicon-mediated plant protection and highlights potassium silicate as a sustainable strategy for bacterial wilt management.

Quorum Quenching as an Ecological Modulator of Periodontal Biofilms

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Background: Periodontal disease is driven by dysbiotic biofilms characterized by altered microbial functions rather than mere pathogen overgrowth. Quorum sensing (QS) enables coordinated microbial behavior that sustains dysbiosis, while quorum quenching (QQ) has emerged as a strategy to disrupt microbial communication without bactericidal effects. Existing reviews primarily address QS inhibition broadly or focus on cariogenic biofilms, leaving a critical gap regarding the ecological implications of QQ in periodontal biofilms.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to map current evidence on quorum quenching strategies targeting periodontal bacteria, with a specific focus on their role in modulating biofilm ecology and restoring microbial balance.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA ScR guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between 2016 and 2025 investigating quorum quenching mechanisms in periodontal bacteria or periodontal biofilm models. Data were charted and synthesized descriptively.

Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Quorum quenching strategies included enzymatic degradation of signaling molecules, inhibition of signal synthesis or reception, and natural compound based inhibitors. Most studies targeted interspecies signaling pathways and demonstrated reduced biofilm maturation, attenuation of virulence-associated functions, and partial restoration of symbiotic microbial behavior without eliminating commensals.

Conclusion: Quorum quenching represents a novel ecology based approach for periodontal biofilm management by reprogramming microbial communication rather than eradicating bacteria. This perspective highlights quorum quenching as a promising adjunctive strategy for restoring periodontal biofilm homeostasis