Lichens and their Microbe Partners: New Hope Against Biofilms

Lichens, those fascinating plants that grow on rocks and trees, have been around for a long time. Scientists first took notice of them in the 1870s and found that they produce special substances that can affect bacteria and fungi. More recently, we've discovered that lichens have a whole community of microorganisms living on them, and these microbes produce a variety of metabolites. This is exciting because it opens up a new world of potential anti-biofilm compounds. Biofilms are like cities for microbes, where they stick together and become tougher to fight. This is one reason why antibiotics aren't always effective – the microbes hide inside these biofilms. Scientists are looking for ways to disrupt these biofilm communities, and lichen metabolites might be the key.So, let's focus on the question: do lichen metabolites and those from their fungal partners have any anti-biofilm activity? Only a few lichen substances, like usnic acid and evernic acid, have been studied for their ability to fight biofilms. This shows that there's still a lot to explore. We need more research to fully understand how lichen metabolites can help in the fight against biofilms. It's like opening a new toolbox for scientists to combat drug-resistant microbes.