Bactericidal block copolymer micelles.

Authors :: Vyhnalkova R
Eisenberg A
van de Ven T
Source :: Macromolecular bioscience [Macromol Biosci] 2011 May 12; Vol. 11 (5), pp. 639-51. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Jan 27.
Publication Year :: 2011
Abstract: Block copolymer micelles with bactericidal properties were designed to deactivate pathogens such as E. coli bacteria. The micelles of PS-b-PAA and PS-b-P4VP block copolymers were loaded with biocides TCMTB or TCN up to 20 or 30 wt.-%, depending on the type of antibacterial agent. Bacteria were exposed to loaded micelles and bacterial deactivation was evaluated. The micelles loaded with TCN are bactericidal; bacteria are killed in less than two minutes of exposure. The most likely interpretation of the data is that the biocide is transferred to the bacteria by repeated micelle/bacteria contacts, and not via the solution.<br /> (Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)