Analysis of the Antibiofilm Efficacy of Citrus Aurantifolia Juice and Silver Nanoparticles Against Klebsiella Pneumoniae Obtained from Urinary Tract Infections.

Abstract

The creation of biofilms by Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the main reasons why people suffer from chronic urinary tract infection (UTI), as it allows the bacteria to live longer and resist antimicrobials. The purpose of this research was to see if lime juice and/or silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) could help prevent biofilms created by K. pneumoniae strains isolated from people suffering from UTI. Thirty urine samples were gathered from patients visiting private clinics during the months of November 2024 through January 2025. Microbial isolation and identification were done using traditional microbiology techniques and API 20E. Biofilm formation was determined using the tissue culture plate and Congo red method. The results indicated that K. pneumoniae was isolated in 34% of the urine specimens. In the 15 isolates that were analysed for biofilm production, four produced biofilms strongly, nine moderately, and two weakly. Antibiofilm activity of lime juice was observed at all concentrations studied, with 12.5% giving the highest effect. The AgNPs were found to exhibit inhibitory properties, reaching maximum efficacy at 7.8 µg/mL concentration. The use of the combination of lime juice and AgNPs was also more effective against biofilms, especially in isolates 26 and 27. These results confirm that lime juice and AgNPs have promise as effective agents against biofilm formation by K. pneumoniae.