One aspect of the present invention is directed to a composition. The composition includes a dispersion
inducer comprising:H3C—(CH2)n—CHmCHmR,where is a single or double carbon-carbon bond, m is 1 or 2, n is 2 to 15, and R is a
carboxylic acid, a salt, an ester, or an
amide, where the ester or
amide is an
isostere or biostere of the
carboxylic acid. The composition additionally contains an additive component selected from one or more of the group consisting of biocides, surfactants,
antibiotics, antiseptics, detergents, chelating agents,
virulence factor inhibitors, gels, polymers, pastes, edible products, and chewable products. The composition is formulated so that when it is contacted with a
biofilm produced by a
microorganism, where the
biofilm comprises a matrix and
microorganism on a surface, the dispersion
inducer selectively acts on the
microorganism and has a suitable biological response without a required direct effect on the matrix to disperse the
biofilm. The present invention is also directed to methods of using this compound.