Pycnogenol, a standardized extract of Pinus pinaster bark, was tested for its antimicrobial activity against 23 different pathogenic prokaryotic (gram-positive and gram-negative) and eukaryotic (yeast and fungi) microorganisms. Pycnogenol inhibited the growth of all the tested microorganisms in minimum concentrations ranging from 20 to 250 microg/mL. Thus, Pycnogenol in concentrations as low as 0.025% could counteract the growth of all the strains investigated in our study. These results conform with clinical oral health care studies describing the prevention of plaque formation and the clearance of candidiasis by Pycnogenol.

The formation of biofilm by pathogenic microorganisms has become a problem in the livestock industry since it is considered a potential source of infection for farm animals while increasing microbial resistance to physical and chemical agents. Some plant extracts, such as soluble wheat extract, have been shown to be effective in inhibiting or destroying the biofilm of certain microorganisms under specific conditions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the capacity of the pathogen to form biofilm on different surfaces used in livestock, as well as to evaluate the anti-biofilm capacity of the soluble wheat extract against S. aureus on these surfaces. The inhibition potential of inhibition or destruction of biofilm was tested in vitro. Wheat extract at a concentration of 0.29 mg/100mL showed anti-biofilm activity on S. aureus, inhibiting its formation, as well as destroying it greatly after a contact time of 24 hours, on those surfaces where the microorganism presents more adhesion capacity.