Activating the antimicrobial activity of an anionic singlet-oxygen sensitizer through surfactant complexation

Cationic oligo-p-phenylene ethynylenes have shown much promise as broad-spectrum light-activated antimicrobial compounds against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The anionic varieties, however, have weak biocidal activity. In this study, a complex is formed between a weakly biocidal anionic oligomer and a cationic surfactant, and the effects on their biocidal activity against Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus are explored. The enhancement in biocidal activity that is observed when the complex is irradiated suggests that interfacial surfactant gives the complex a net-positive charge, allowing it to associate strongly with the bacterial membrane. The results of this study demonstrate a method for the enhancement of biocidal activity of singlet-oxygen sensitizers and corroborate the use of surfactants as trans-membrane drug-delivery agents.