Divalent Cation Chelation (Biofilm Disruption)

Divalent cation chelation, in the context of biofilm disruption, refers to the process of binding and sequestering divalent metal ions—such as calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), manganese (Mn²⁺), and zinc (Zn²⁺)—using molecules known as chelators. This process targets the structural integrity of bacterial biofilms by removing essential metal ions that stabilize components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Chelators like EDTA or EGTA bind divalent cations with high affinity, breaking ionic bridges between matrix polymers and resulting in loss of cohesion within the biofilm matrix and increased susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. This strategy is non-specific but effective across diverse bacterial species due to universal reliance on divalent cations in ECM architecture.

Other names

Metal ChelationCalcium ChelationMagnesium ChelationDivalent Ion SequestrationECM DestabilizationBiofilm Matrix Disruption

Sequestration of divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+) from the biofilm extracellular matrix, disrupting its structural integrity and promoting dispersal.