Antifungal activity of newly synthesized chemodegradable dicephalic-type cationic surfactants

The studies were aimed to contribute to the elucidation of the relationships between structure of the double-headed cationic surfactants - N,N-bis[3,3'-(dimethylamine)propyl]alkylamide dihydrochlorides and N,N-bis[3,3'-(trimethylammonio)propyl]alkylamide dibromides (alkyl: n-C₉H₁₉, n-C₁₁H₂₃, n-C₁₃H₂₇, n-C₁₅H₃₁), which are of particular interest, as they contain a labile amide group in the molecule and their antifungal activity. Therefore, the minimal inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations (MIC and MFC) of dicephalic surfactants against various fungi were tested using standardized methods. Most of the tested fungi were resistant to the Cn(TAPABr)₂ compounds. The strongest growth inhibition was caused by Cn(DAPACl)₂ series, which MICs ranged from 6.5 to 16 μM. The influence of dicephalic surfactants on Candida albicans biofilm and adhesion to the various surfaces was investigated with crystal violet staining or colony counting. The reduction of fungal adhesion was also observed, especially to the glass surface. One of the compounds (C14(DAPACl)₂) caused DNA leakage from C. albicans cells. Further studies showed the impact of dicephalic surfactants on ROS production, accumulation of lipid droplets and filament formation. This study points to the possibility of application of dicephalic surfactants as the surface-coating agents to prevent biofilm formation or as disinfectants. The results give an insight into the possible mechanism of action of newly synthesized dicephalic surfactants in yeast cells.