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Antimicrobial Properties of Monomeric and Dimeric Catanionic Surfactant System
Iwona Kowalczyk1, Anna Koziróg2, Adrianna Szulc1
1Department of Bioactive Products, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan, 61-614 Poznan, Poland.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 11, 2025
Summary
This study investigated catanionic surfactant mixtures for antimicrobial activity. Results show no synergistic antibacterial effect when anionic additives are mixed with cationic gemini surfactants.
Area of Science:
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Cationic gemini surfactants exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial, surface, and anticorrosive properties.
- Mixtures of cationic and anionic surfactants are gaining attention for modified functionalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of anionic additives on the antimicrobial activity of cationic gemini surfactants.
- To determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against *E. coli* and *S. aureus*.
Main Methods:
- Microbiological tests were performed using two gemini surfactants (12-6-12, 12-O-12) and two quaternary ammonium salts (DTAB, DDAC).
- Anionic additives included sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium laurate (SL).
- Computer quantum mechanical calculations were employed to correlate mixture structure with activity.
Main Results:
- Microbiological assays and quantum mechanical calculations were consistent.
- Catanionic mixtures of the studied surfactants did not exhibit synergistic antibacterial activity against *E. coli* and *S. aureus*.
Conclusions:
- The addition of anionic surfactants does not enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of cationic gemini surfactants.
- No synergistic effects were observed in catanionic surfactant mixtures regarding antibacterial properties.
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