Synthetic antimicrobial polymers

Tew and co-workers studied the biological activities of antimicrobial polymers and found that they were influenced by the amphiphilicity of the polymer or oligomer as an entity rather than the activity of one antimicrobial portion, either embedded or covalently attached, and mostly contained antimicrobial macromolecules that can mimic the biological action of antimicrobial natural host-defence peptides (e.g., synthetic polyphenylene ethynylenes, polynorbornenes and polymethacrylates) [4]. 

Keywords Antibacterial polymers Antimicrobial polymers Peptide analogs Peptidomimetics Polymer-membrane interaction Synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides, SMAMPs... 

Oxetanones ( -lactones) are useful synthetic intermediates which have been most often prepared by cyclization of p-halo or p-hydroxy acid derivatives or by addition of ketenes " to carbonyl compounds. They are starting materials for useful polymers and copolymers and have been used for the synthesis of alkenes and carboxylic acid derivatives. P-Lactones possessing antimicrobial activity have recently been found in bacterial cultures. ... 

In synthetic polymers, as well as edible films, various classes of antimicrobial compounds have been evaluated. These include organic acids, enzymes, bacteriocins, and other compounds which may consist of tri-closans, silver zeolites, and fungicides. Several approaches are followed when incorporating an antimicrobial substance into packaging material (Quintavalla and Vicini, 2002) ... 

Disclosed are dry, disposable, polymeric antimicrobial-applying products having sustained-release antimicrobial activity. They corrsist essentially of a polymeric material, such as a natrual polymer, synthetic polymer or mixture thereof, in the form of fibres, yarrrs, woverr, non-woven and knitted fabrics, sheets and films, and an amine salt antimicrobial agent, which is releasably impregnated into... 

Extrusion is a cost effective manufacturing process. Extrusion is popularly used in large scale production of food, plastics and composite materials. Most widely used thermoplastics are processed by extrusion method. Many biopolymers and their composite materials with petroleum-based polymers can also be extruded. These include pectin/starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) (Fishman et al. 2004), poly(lactic acid)/sugar beet pulp (Liu et al. 2005c), and starch/poly(hydroxyl ester ether) (Otey et al. 1980), etc. In this study, composite films of pectin, soybean flour protein and an edible synthetic hydrocolloid, poly(ethylene oxide), were extruded using a twin-screw extruder, palletized and then processed into films by compression molding process or blown film extrusion. The films were analyzed for mechanical and structural properties, as well as antimicrobial activity. 

Phenol, p-(tert-butyl)- PTBP Terbutol Ucar butylphenol 4-T Dear butylphenol 4-T flake. Antioxidant chemical intermediate for synthetic resins, plasticizers, surface active agents. Intermediate in the manf. of varnish and lacquer, as a soap antioxidant, in motor oil additives. Used as an Intermediate in manufacture of varnishes, as a soap antioxidant, in demulsifiers and as a motor oil additive. Registered by EPA as an antimicrobial and fungicide (cancelled). Needles mp = 98" bp = 237 dV 0.9081 hn = 220, 276 nm (cyclohexane) insoluble in cold HzO, soluble in EtOH, EtzO LDso (rat orl) = 3250 mg/kg. ICI Chem. Polymers Ltd Jar)ssen Chimica PMC Sigma-Aldrich Co. 

Currently, researchers are trying to increase the low antimicrobial activity of chitosan to compare with commercially used chemicals. The recent advances include the use of composites and other biologically active substances (Table 3.3) that are known antimicrobial agents. The expected outcome is an increased antimicrobial effect due to the synergistic action of both antimicrobial agents. Moreover, the use of lesser synthetic agents to improve the naturally-derived polymer can be both economical and attractive. 

Al-Badri and co-workers [55] studied the effect of fine-tuning the cationic parameter of synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides (SMAMP) on haemolytic and antibacterial activities. A category of novel norbornene monomers that carry one, two or three Boc-protected amine-functionalities was synthesised (Figure 3.8). ROMP of the monomers, followed by deprotection of the amine groups led to cationic antimicrobial polynorbornenes that carry one, two and three charges per monomer repeat unit. It was observed that enhancing the number of amine groups on the most hydrophobic polymer effectively decreased its haemolytic activity. 

Figure 8.5 Synthetic production of triblock PC polymers consisting of three critical components including antifouling PEG, antimicrobial cationic PC and a tethering or functional block. Reproduced with permission from Z.X. Voo, M. Khan,...

This synthetic method has two steps the first step involves synthesising the polymer and the second includes modification with active groups. Some monomers generally used to form the backbone of homopolymers or copolymers include vinyl benzyl chloride, methyl methacrylate, 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether, vinyl alcohol and maleic anhydride. The polymers are then activated by anchoring antimicrobial groups, such as phosphonium salts, ammonium salts or phenol groups, via quaternisation, chloride substitution or anhydride hydrolysis. 

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