Manno-oligosaccharides as a promising antimicrobial strategy: pathogen inhibition and synergistic effects with antibiotics

Infections caused by pathogenic bacteria pose a significant health challenge to humans and animals, especially given the rising incidence of antimicrobial resistance. Addressing this challenge has resulted in initiatives seeking alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Manno-oligosaccharides (MOS) exhibit pathogen-binding properties, due to their ability to prevent bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells, such as those within the urinary tract and intestinal epithelium. This suggests that MOS could offer a promising alternative to antibiotics. In this study, we explore the ability of various <i>β</i>-MOS products to inhibit the growth of <i>Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes,</i> and <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>, in addition to their ability to render antibiotics more effective. Inhibition profiles were distinct for each bacterial strain and differed according to <i>β</i>-MOS structure. Antibiotics were significantly potentiated by MOS in some cases, such as ceftazidime against <i>K. pneumoniae</i>. This research shows the role of carbohydrate structure in the anti-bacterial properties of non-digestible oligosaccharides such as MOS and positions MOS as a promising strategy in the treatment of bacterial infections.