title: Biocidal activity of a light-absorbing fluorescent conjugated polyelectrolyte.
abstract: Herein we describe studies that indicate a cationic conjugated polyelectrolyte shows biocidal activity against gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, E. coli, BL21, with plasmids for Azurin and ampicillin resistance) and gram-positive bacterial spores (Bacillus anthracis, Sterne, B. anthracis, Sterne). These studies were carried out with aqueous suspensions of the conjugated polyelectrolyte, with the polyelectrolyte in supported formats and with samples in which the conjugated polyelectrolyte was coated on the bacteria. The results are interesting in that the biocidal activity is light-induced and appears effective due to the ability of the conjugated polyelectrolyte to form a surface coating on both types of bacteria. The effects observed here should be general and suggest that a range of conjugated polyelectrolytes in different formulations may provide a useful new class of biocides for both dark and light-activated applications.
authors.affiliation: QTL Biosystems, 2778 Agua Fria, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507-5491, USA.
authors.forename: Liangde
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Frauke H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Rininsland
authors.forename: Shannon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wittenburg
authors.forename: Komandoor E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Achyuthan
authors.forename: Duncan W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: McBranch
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Whitten
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000494:pharmacology; D008027:Light; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000494:pharmacology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008956:Models, Chemical; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D012395:Rose Bengal / Q000494:pharmacology; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004573:Electrolytes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C013912:decyltrimethylammonium; D012395:Rose Bengal; D002594:Cetylpyridinium; D008751:Methylene Blue