einstein (São Paulo). 17/mar/2025;23:eAO0663.

Effects of 3′-sialyllactose, saliva, and colostrum on Candida albicans biofilms

Juliana Barbosa

Faria

, Marcela Beraldo

Santiago

, Paula Hueb Menezes de

Oliveira

, Vinicius Rangel

Geraldo-Martins

, Ruchele Dias

Nogueira

DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2025AO0663

Highlights

■ Candidiasis can present as localized or systemic infections. Disseminated infections in newborns and adults can be life-threatening, with high mortality and morbidity rates (40–60%), and rank as the fourth most common type of nosocomial infection.
■ Oral candidiasis is a local condition affecting 10-15% of children in their first months of life.
■ Saliva and 3’-sialyllactose can disrupt the initial development of Candida albicans biofilm.
■ The effect of colostrum needs to be elucidated because it may hinder initial adhesion but promote fungal proliferation after application.

ABSTRACT

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of saliva, human colostrum, and 3’-sialyllactose on the initial adhesion and biofilm formation of Candida albicans in vitro.

Methods:

Colostrum and saliva samples were collected from 30 postpartum mothers and newborns, respectively. An 18h culture of C. albicans was treated with colostrum, 3’-sialyllactose, saliva, or a combination of colostrum and saliva at three different time points: before, during, and 24h after C. albicans inoculation. Biofilm assays were conducted in sterile 96-well flat-bottom microtiter plates for 24h. Biofilms were fixed, washed, stained with crystal violet, and extracted. Absorbance was measured to evaluate biofilm biomass.

Results:

The combined application of colostrum and saliva before and after microbial inoculation did not differ from the control biofilms (p<0.05). In contrast, the combined application of colostrum and saliva during C. albicans application resulted in a higher biomass than the control (p<0.05). Saliva alone decreased the biofilm biomass (p<0.05), and the application of 3’-sialyllactose reduced biofilm formation regardless of the timing of application (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Saliva contributed to the proliferation of biofilms, while colostrum did not prevent initial adhesion but influenced biofilm accumulation and development. In contrast, 3’-sialyllactose significantly decreased biofilm formation at all application times. These findings underscore the importance of colostrum as a potent oral antimicrobial biofluid.

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