title: Amphiphilic branched polymers as antimicrobial agents.
abstract: Cationic amphiphilic polymers were prepared from PEI and functional ethylene carbonates bearing cationic, hydrophobic or amphiphilic groups. The polymers are designed to exhibit antimicrobial properties. In a one-step addition, different functional ethylene carbonates were added to react with the primary amine groups of PEI. The water soluble polymers were studied regarding their ability to form soluble aggregates. Their hydrodynamic radii, their inhibition potential against proliferation of E. coli and their hemolytic potential were determined. A structure-property relationship was established by analyzing the antimicrobial activity as a function of the ratio of alkyl to cationic groups, length of the alkyl chains, and molecular weight of the PEI.
authors.affiliation: DWI an der RWTH Aachen e.V., and Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 8, D-52056 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pasquier
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Keul
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moeller
authors.forename: Borislav
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Angelov
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Linser
authors.forename: Regine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Willumeit
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002254:Carbonates / Q000737:chemistry; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011073:Polyamines / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002254:Carbonates; D011073:Polyamines; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D011094:Polyethyleneimine