title: Antimicrobial activity of chemically modified dextran derivatives.
abstract: Cationic amphiphilic dextran derivatives with a long alkyl group attached to the reductive end of the polysaccharide chain and quaternary ammonium groups attached as pendent groups to the main dextran backbone were synthesized and tested for their antimicrobial properties against several bacteria and fungi strains. Dependence of antimicrobial activity on both polymer chemical composition (dextran molar mass, length of end alkyl group and chemical structure of ammonium groups) and type of microbes was highlighted by disc-diffusion method (diameter of inhibition zone) and broth microdilution method (minimum inhibitory concentrations). Polymers had antimicrobial activity for all strains studied, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The best activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Minimun Inhibitory Concentration 60μg/mL) was provided by polymers obtained from dextran with lower molecular mass (Mn=4500), C12H25or C18H37end groups, and N,N-dimethyl-N-benzylammonium pendent groups.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Cristina G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Tuchilus
authors.affiliation: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Natural Polymers, Bioactive and Biocompatible Materials, Iasi, Romania. Electronic address: nichifor@icmpp.ro.
authors.forename: Marieta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nichifor
authors.affiliation: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Natural Polymers, Bioactive and Biocompatible Materials, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Georgeta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mocanu
authors.affiliation: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Natural Polymers, Bioactive and Biocompatible Materials, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Magdalena C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Stanciu
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003911:Dextrans
keywords: Amphiphiles; Antimicrobial; Dextran; Quaternary ammonium groups