Antibacterial activity of gemini quaternary ammonium salts

Abstract

A series of gemini quaternary ammonium salts (chlorides and bromides), with various hydrocarbon chain and spacer lengths, were tested. These compounds exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and were not mutagenic. The strongest antibacterial effect was observed for TMPG-10 Cl (against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and TMPG-12 Br (against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 and clinical ESBL(+) isolate 434) surfactants. These compounds inhibited the adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984 to a polystyrene surface and eradicated biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa PAO1. The activity of studied compounds was dependent on hydrocarbon chain length.

Antibacterial Activity of Alanine‐Derived Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

“…A similar effect was observed for betaine QAS gemini surfactants [8]. The differences in gemini surfactant tolerance between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria might be connected with the cell envelope structure.…”

“…Previously investigated gemini QAS, having betaine-based, ester-type alkyl chain arrangements, inhibited S. aureus growth at low concentrations (10–80 µM). Chlorides with 10 and 12 carbon alkyl chains were also effective in eradicating P. aeruginosa [8]. Compared with betaine QAS surfactants, alanine derivatives with shorter spacer show weaker antibacterial activity both against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.…”

“…P. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis biofilm viability were tested with a FilmTracer LIVE/DEAD BacLight Biofilm Viability Kit (Invitrogen) according to Obłąk [8]. Biofilms were grown on glass chamber slides in LB medium for 24 h, at 37 °C and washed with distilled water.…”

“…Moreover, these compounds inhibited cell adhesion and prevented biofilm formation by coating the surface. Strong anti-biofilm activity was observed especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms [8, 9]. These two species are common contaminants of hospital environment and a frequent cause of nosocomial infections.…”

The Influence of Biodegradable Gemini Surfactants, N,N’-bis(1-Decyloxy-1-Oxopronan-2-yl)-N,N,N’,N’ Tetramethylpropane-1,3-Diammonium Dibromide and N,N’-bis(1-Dodecyloxy-1-Oxopronan-2-yl) N,N,N’,N’-Tetramethylethane-1,2-Diammonium Dibromide, on Fungal Biofilm and Adhesion

“…Another study showed a significant reduction of oral biofilm viability by the combination of quaternary ammonium dimethacrylate and nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate 44 . Also some groups of gemini quaternary ammonium salts exhibit biofilm eradicating properties, both against fungi and bacteria 11,45 . Since the studied gemini-QAS inhibited biofilm formation at the preadhesive stage, the influence of these compounds on already formed biofilm needed to be determined.…”