Amino acid-based surfactants antimicrobial activity

One important milestone in our research is the design and development of new amino acid-based surfactants with antimicrobial properties, which mimic natural amphiphilic cationic peptides [42,43]. To this end, Lys and Arg derivatives of long-chain A -acyl, COO-ester, and A-alkyl amide have been prepared. In particular, the A -acylarginine methyl ester derivatives series 1 (Scheme 1) have turned out to be an important class of cationic surface active compounds with a wide bactericidal activity, high biodegradability, and low toxicity profile. We have shown that essential structural factors for their antimicrobial activity include both the length of the fatty residue (akin with their solubility and surface activity) and the presence of the protonated guanidine function [43,44]. 

Sorbic acid is incompatible with bases, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents. Some loss of antimicrobial activity occurs in the presence of nonionic surfactants and plastics. Oxidation is catalyzed by heavy-metal salts. Sorbic acid will also react with sulfur-containing amino acids, although this can be prevented... 

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