Hurdle technology based on the use of microencapsulated pepsin, trypsin and carvacrol to eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis biofilms.

The biofilm lifestyle plays a major role in the resistance and virulence of and . In this study, two microencapsulated proteases (pepsin ME-PEP and trypsin ME-TRYP) were evaluated for their biofilm dispersal activity and their synergistic effect with microencapsulated carvacrol (ME-CARV). Spray-drying was used to protect enzymes and essential oil and enhance their activities. Cell count analysis proved the synergistic activity of enzymes and carvacrol treatment as biofilms were further reduced after combined treatment in comparison to ME-CARV or enzymes alone. Furthermore, results showed that sequential treatment in the order ME-TRYP - ME-PEP - ME-CARV resulted in more efficient biofilm removal with a maximum reduction of 5 log CFU mL for and 4 log CFU mL for . This study proposes that the combination of microencapsulated proteases with ME-CARV could be useful for the effective control of and biofilms.