Antimicrobial activity of statistical polymethacrylic sulfopropylbetaines against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria

Abstract

A series of statistical copolymers derived from 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate with four different hydrophobic comonomers (ethyl, butyl, cyclohexyl, and octyl methacrylates) have been prepared via conventional free radical copolymerization under bulk conditions. The copolymers have been subsequently modified, with 1,3-propanesultone to yield the corresponding polysulfoproylbetaine derivatives. Those copolymers exhibiting the requisite aqueous solubility have been screened with respect to their antimicrobial activity against two common and notorious pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). We show that certain copolymers do indeed exhibit antimicrobial activity. The extent of activity is related to the molecular characteristics of the materials such as the molar composition and structure of the hydrophobic comonomer.

Controlling macromolecular structures towards effective antimicrobial polymers

“…Lowe and co-workers studied the antimicrobial activities of a series of statistical copolymers derived from 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate with four different hydrophobic comonomers (ethyl, butyl, cyclohexyl, and octyl methacrylates) [102]. They used conventional free radical copolymerization and post polymer modifications to yield corresponding poly(sulfopropylbetaine) derivatives (Table 5A).…”

Antibacterial Effects of Poly(2-(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate) against Selected Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

“…In addition to this, pDMAEMA has been attached to glass 28,29 , filter paper 28,30 , polystyrene 31 and polypropylene 32 and also as an antimicrobial surface coating to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis. It has also been incorporated in antimicrobial copolymers to inhibit growth of E. coli 33 and S. aureus 34 .…”

Anion effects on anti-microbial activity of poly[1-vinyl-3-(2-sulfoethyl imidazolium betaine)]

“…The anti-microbial activities of the water-soluble polybetaines are reported in literatures [35,36]. The anti-microbial activity of the polymers is result of the disruption of the cell membranes when there is an interaction between the microbes and polymers.…”

“…Gram-positive bacteria have a significantly simple cell wall structure in which the cytoplasm membrane is reasonably porous and thus foreign molecules can easily traverse this outer layer. In contrast, Gram-negative bacteria have considerably complicated cell-wall structures with a less porous outer layer [36]. The different structures of the microbial cell walls results in different interactions with the PSBs, hence the differences in activity.…”