Volume 5 (2000) pp 349-356 |
Abstract |
Two series of new bifunctional surfactants were synthesized for
potential use as antioxidants or as pesticides, depending on their concentration.
At a low concentration, the surfactants can be incorporated into the membranes
with no damage to these membranes, while surfactants` antioxidant functional
group, localized in its polar part, protrudes outside thus effectively protecting
the membranes. If the concentration of the incorporated surfactant is high
enough it can destroy membranes acting as a common biocide.
The aim of this paper was to determine the concentration level at which
surfactants can be possibly used as biocides. The surfactants studied differed in
the polar head and/or in the length of their alkyl chain. One of the investigated
series consisted of pyrolidinium chlorides (PC), whereas the other series
consisted of the respective bromides (PB). PB salts were found to be more
destructive to model membranes studied (erythrocytes - RBC and planar lipid
membranes - BLM) than PC salts. Also, the results of BLM experiments
indicate the existence of a maximum of the interaction between planar lipid
membranes and surfactants when they have about twelve carbon atoms in the
alkyl chain. It may be possible that interdigitation phenomena are responsible
for this effect. |
Address and Contact Information |
Department of Physics and Biophysics, Agricultural University, Norwida 25,
50-375 Wrocław, Poland,
1
Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Sciences,
Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-747, Olsztyn, Poland,
2
Institute of
Organic and Polymer Technology, Technical University, Wyb. Wyspiańskiego
27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland |