Antimicrobial Efficacy and Stability of an N-Chlorotaurine Gel for Chronic Wound Treatment

The stability of a formulation of 1% N-chlorotaurine (NCT) in a smectite clay as a gel was characterized using a range of physicochemical parameters, and its antimicrobial efficacy was determined against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The stability of the NCT gel was determined by UV-visible spectroscopy. The efficacy against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was tested in single- and dual-species biofilms using a dynamic in vitro chronic wound infection model and only showed efficacy against S. aureus. The gel proved stable over time at room temperature and at 4 °C with half-life values of ~161 days and 4 years, respectively. The compatibility of NCT with the preferred pH of the clay gel makes this formulation a candidate for durable topical application to chronic wounds.