Biofilms are the major form in which bacteria exist in nature. Biofilms have finite lifetimes because of limited nutrition and other limiting factors. Mature biofilms produce compounds to disassemble and release the bacteria back to their planktonic existence. Recent studies have focused on the search for compounds that promote dissociation of biofilms and inhibit biofilm formation, including D-type amino acid. This review summarizes some recent breakthroughs and progress in studies on the role of D-type amino acids on bacterial biofilms.
