Practical Aspects of Hydrophobic Polycationic Bactericidal “Paints”

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology 2008-10, Vol.151 (1), p.61-70
• Main Authors: Mukherjee, Koushik, Rivera, Jaime J., Klibanov, Alexander M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Apoptosis - drug effects; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Cations; Cell Survival - drug effects; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Decontamination - methods; E coli; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - cytology; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Microbiology; Paint - microbiology; Polyethyleneimine - administration & dosage; Polyethyleneimine - chemistry; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - cytology; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Staphylococcus infections; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 1559-0291
• DOI: 10.1007/s12010-008-8151-1

We previously discovered that coating solid surfaces with long-chained linear N -dodecyl, N -methyl-polyethylenimine makes them bactericidal and virucidal. In the present study, focusing on the use of this microbicidal paint to kill airborne Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , we have systematically investigated the dependence of this effect on the concentration and mode of application of the hydrophobic polycation, the number of coats, the nature of the solvent, and the presence of a dye in such paint. In addition, the latter’s ability to be regenerated after use, stability upon repeated washings, and mammalian toxicity has been evaluated.