Polyolefin matrixes with permanent antibacterial activity: preparation, antibacterial activity, and action mode of the active species.
Poly[2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PTBAEMA) belongs to a novel class of water-insoluble biocides. Dispersion of a poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-poly[2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate] diblock copolymer (PEB-b-PTBAEMA) within low-density polyethylene (LDPE) imparts antimicrobial properties to the polyolefin as assessed by the viable cell counting method against Escherichia coli (E. coli). This diblock copolymer has been synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with a poly(ethylene-co-butylene) (PEB) oligomer end-capped by an activated bromide as a macroinitiator for the polymerization of 2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate (TBAEMA). Morphological changes of E. coli bacteria in contact with modified LDPE have been observed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy and indicate that the diblock copolymer is bactericide rather than bacteriostatic. Finally, the action mode of the PEB-b-PTBAEMA copolymer more likely relies on the displacement of the Ca(2+) and/or Mg(2+) ions of the outer membrane of the bacteria, which is disorganized and finally disrupted.
Lenoir
Sandrine
S
Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM), University of Liège, Sart-Tilman, B6, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Pagnoulle
Christophe
C
Galleni
Moreno
M
Compère
Philippe
P
Jérôme
Robert
R
Detrembleur
Christophe
C
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011090:Polyenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011090:Polyenes; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C035051:PL 732; D020959:Polyethylene