Polycomplexes of poly(acrylic acid) with streptomycin sulfate and their antibacterial activity.

Complex formation between streptomycin sulfate and poly(acrylic acid) has been studied in aqueous solutions by turbidimetric, potentiometric and viscometric methods as well as by FTIR spectroscopy. It was shown that these polycomplexes are stabilized by electrostatic interactions. The solubility of polycomplexes was examined as a function of pH and it was found that at pH values below 3.1 the polycomplexes undergo complete dissociation or dissolution. The antimicrobial activity of the drug and its polycomplex was evaluated using Sarcina sp. as a model organism. It was demonstrated that the polycomplexes have an antimicrobial activity on the same level as the free drug.