Synthesis and antibacterial activity of nisin-containing block copolymers

Nisin, an antibacterial peptide proven to be an effective inhibitor of Gram-positive bacteria, was incorporated into novel block copolymer constructs and tested for retained antibacterial activity. Covalent coupling was achieved by chemical modification of the N-terminal isoleucine to introduce a thiol group. Thiolated-nisin derivatives were then linked to poly[ethylene oxide]-poly[propylene oxide]-poly[ethylene oxide] (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblocks that had been end-activated such that terminal hydroxyl groups of the PEO chains were replaced with pyridyl disulfide moieties. The nisin-containing block copolymers were separated from free nisin by dialysis and showed antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive indicator strain Pediococcus pentosaceus. The contribution to antimicrobial activity from nisin that was covalently linked was not distinguished from the contribution of nisin that had associated with the PEO-PPO-PEO triblocks through noncovalent interactions. However, nisin that was covalently linked showed activity upon reduction of the disulfide bond and release from the end-activated PEO.