Poultry-derived Lactiplantibacillus sp. PCE3 cell-free supernatant inhibits Candida albicans biofilm biomass and hyphal morphogenesis in vitro

Aims To evaluate whether the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of a poultry-derived Lactiplantibacillus sp. strain PCE3 can inhibit biofilm biomass accumulation and hyphal morphogenesis of Candida albicans ATCC 10231 in vitro. Methods and Results Biofilm biomass was quantified by crystal violet staining after 48 h growth in RPMI 1640 plus 2% glucose with 10%, 20%, or 40% (v/v) CFS. Filamentation was induced in RPMI 1640 plus 10% fetal bovine serum at 37°C and assessed qualitatively by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and representative 24 h microscopy observations. Planktonic growth was summarized by 24 h colony-forming unit counts. CFS inhibited biofilm biomass in a concentration-dependent manner, with mean inhibition of 29.6 ± 8.3%, 48.1 ± 7.2%, and 79.8 ± 5.8% at 10%, 20%, and 40% (v/v), respectively (all p < 0.05 vs control). Under hypha-inducing conditions, 40% CFS shifted morphology from extensive filamentation in untreated controls to predominantly moderate or suppressed filamentation, and representative microscopy supported persistence of this non-filamentous phenotype over the observation period. Planktonic viable counts decreased by up to approximately 1.1 log10 at 40% CFS, indicating partial growth inhibition without eradication. Conclusions Poultry-derived Lactiplantibacillus sp. strain PCE3 CFS showed in vitro anti-virulence activity against C. albicans, reducing biofilm biomass and restraining filamentation more strongly than planktonic growth. These findings support avian-derived postbiotic preparations as an underexplored source of anti-Candida activity for further characterization and validation.