title: Synthesis and characterization of non-leaching biocidal polyurethanes.
abstract: The biocidal activities of a series of quaternized polyurethanes were examined against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The percentage of dead cells on a surface was found to depend on the alkyl halide used for quaternization, the concentration of quaternized moieties in the polyurethane, the gram-type of the microorganism, and the contact time of the organism with the surface. N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)isonicotinamide (BIN) was incorporated as the chain extender in a series of poly(tetramethylene oxide)-based polyurethane block copolymers. Three families of materials were synthesized that contained increasing hard segment fractions and therefore increasing concentrations of BIN. The pyridine ring in BIN was quaternized with a variety of alkyl halides to form cationic polyurethanes that possessed biocidal activity. The effect of quaternization on material properties was examined with tensile testing, water absorption analysis, and contact angle measurements. The antibacterial action of the polymers was investigated with zone of inhibition experiments and fluorescence microscopy, which was established as a reliable technique to determine the viability of organisms attached to a polymer surface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark 19716, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Grapski
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011140:Polyurethanes; D014867:Water