Antimicrobial activity of chemically modified dextran derivatives

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 161; pp. 181 - 186
• Main Authors: Tuchilus, Cristina G., Nichifor, Marieta, Mocanu, Georgeta, Stanciu, Magdalena C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2017
• Subjects: Amphiphiles; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial; Bacteria - drug effects; Dextran; Dextrans - chemistry; Dextrans - pharmacology; Fungi - drug effects; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Quaternary ammonium groups; Antimicrobial; Dextran; Quaternary ammonium groups; Amphiphiles
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.01.006

•Dextran derivatives with an alkyl end group and cationic side groups were prepared.•Antimicrobial activity against several bacteria and fungi strains was tested.•Activity was good for gram positive bacteria and fungi.•Hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of chemical composition influenced activity. Cationic amphiphilic dextran derivatives with a long alkyl group attached to the reductive end of the polysaccharide chain and quaternary ammonium groups attached as pendent groups to the main dextran backbone were synthesized and tested for their antimicrobial properties against several bacteria and fungi strains. Dependence of antimicrobial activity on both polymer chemical composition (dextran molar mass, length of end alkyl group and chemical structure of ammonium groups) and type of microbes was highlighted by disc-diffusion method (diameter of inhibition zone) and broth microdilution method (minimum inhibitory concentrations). Polymers had antimicrobial activity for all strains studied, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The best activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Minimun Inhibitory Concentration 60μg/mL) was provided by polymers obtained from dextran with lower molecular mass (Mn=4500), C12H25 or C18H37 end groups, and N,N-dimethyl-N-benzylammonium pendent groups.