Antimicrobial Particles from Emulsion Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate in the Presence of Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants

Abstract

The purpose of this Article is to characterize polymeric particles of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) synthesized in the presence of one of two different quaternary ammonium surfactants (QACs): cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB). The methods used are dynamic light scattering for sizing, polydispersity and zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphology visualization, and plating plus colony-forming unities (CFU) counting for the determination of antimicrobial activity. The results point out the high QAC concentration required to obtain cationic and bioactive antimicrobial particles with good colloidal stability and a permanent load of the polymeric network with QACs. Over a range of micromolar QAC concentrations, there is remarkable antimicrobial activity of PMMA/CTAB or PMMA/DODAB particles, which is much higher than those determined for the QACs by themselves. Loading the biocompatible polyacrylate particles with QACs is a facile, fast, low-cost approach to obtaining highly efficient antimicrobial nanoparticles.

Controlling macromolecular structures towards effective antimicrobial polymers

“…They observed the antimicrobial effect dependent on the amount of positive charge on particles and independent of particle sizes [178]. In a more recent investigation, they characterized antimicrobial polymer particles of poly(-methylmethacrylate), which were prepared by emulsion polymerization in the presence of quaternary ammonium surfactants [179]. It was found that high surfactant concentrations yielded stable colloids with permanent cationic groups that were significantly antibacterial.…”

Cationic Nanostructures against Foodborne Pathogens

“…The cationic lipid dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB), the antimicrobial peptide gramicidin D (Gr), the antimicrobial cationic polymer poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and the biocompatible polymer poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) can be combined to yield a variety of antimicrobial cationic nanostructures as previously described by our group (Carmona Ribeiro and Chaimovich, 1983; Martins et al, 1997; Lincopan et al, 2003, 2005; Pereira et al, 2008; Melo et al, 2010, 2011; Carvalho et al, 2012; Naves et al, 2013; Ragioto et al, 2014; Carrasco et al, 2015; Sanches et al, 2015). However, these nanostructures were not specifically evaluated against foodborne pathogens before.…”

“…PMMA/DODAB and PMMA/PDDA NPs were obtained as previously described (Naves et al, 2013; Sanches et al, 2015). …”

Water-based synthesis of cationic hydrogel particles: effect of the reaction parameters and in vitro cytotoxicity study

“…The hydrogel particles are colloidally stable and responsive to various biologically relevant stimuli, such as temperature, pH, and oxidation. For example, their feature of positive charge could be utilized for antimicrobial treatment, 17,18 or to support cell delivery 19,20 in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. For example, many potentially therapeutic biomolecules are anionic, such as nucleic acids (DNA, silencing RNA, single-stranded oligonucleotide) and proteins.…”