New surface-active bisquaternary ammonium salts derived from bis-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ester of glutaric acid are highly effective against representatives of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. Relationships between structure, lipophilicity and antimicrobial effectiveness were demonstrated by quantitative structure-activity methodology. The non-linear dependence of biological activity on the structure as well as lipophilicity (expressed as critical micelle concentration-CMC) was shown using Kubinyi's bilinear model. The most effective compounds were those with the alkyl chain of 11-12 carbon atoms and with the CMC values around 0.7-1.0 mmol/L. These derivatives possessed higher antimicrobial activity particularly to Gram-negative bacteria.

• MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents MeSH
• Antifungal Agents chemical synthesis   pharmacology   MeSH
• Anti-Infective Agents chemical synthesis   pharmacology   MeSH
• Candida albicans drug effects   MeSH
• Escherichia coli drug effects   MeSH
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds pharmacology   MeSH
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
• Surface-Active Agents pharmacology   MeSH
• Staphylococcus aureus drug effects   MeSH
• Structure-Activity Relationship MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Anti-Bacterial Agents MeSH
• Antifungal Agents MeSH
• Anti-Infective Agents MeSH
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds MeSH
• Surface-Active Agents MeSH

Biodegradation of two amphiphilic "soft" antimicrobially active derivatives of lauric (dodecanoic) acid, a quaternary ammonium salt and an amine oxide bearing an amide or ester group, was followed using microorganisms from activated sludge. Primary biodegradation was determined by ion-selective electrodes, total biodegradation as the chemical oxygen demand. Though organic ammonium salts quickly undergo primary biodegradation, the rest of the molecule is difficult to destroy. In contrast, amine oxides are easily biodegradable.

• MeSH
• Amines chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Biodegradation, Environmental MeSH
• Detergents metabolism   MeSH
• Disinfectants metabolism   MeSH
• Lauric Acids chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Amines MeSH
• Detergents MeSH
• Disinfectants MeSH
• Lauric Acids MeSH

Bacterial strains with a high biodegradation potential were isolated from activated sludge. Their ability to decompose the hard bis-quaternary ammonium salt FB was determined by the method of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in a mineral medium, where the compound FB was the only source of carbon. The COD values were very low after 21 d and in the course of this period they reached zero level twice. The contribution of adsorption to decrease the COD value was small. The maximum COD decrease was accompanied by an increase of cell respiration. It is suggested that FB is effectively decomposed in spite of the fact that according to its structure it is a typical hard detergent.

• MeSH
• Bacteria metabolism   MeSH
• Biodegradation, Environmental * MeSH
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds metabolism   MeSH
• Water Microbiology MeSH
• Sewage * MeSH
• Oxygen Consumption MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds MeSH
• N,N'-bis(dimethylundecyl)-3-methylaza-1,5-pentanediammonium dibromide MeSH Browser
• Sewage * MeSH