Photosynthesis-inhibiting Effects of Cationic Biodegradable Gemini Surfactants

Cationic biodegradable gemini surfactants 3,8-diaza-4,7-dioxodecane-1,10-diylbis(alkyldimethylammonium bromide) (I) with R = C9H19–C18H37 inhibited photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach chloroplasts and reduced chlorophyll (Chl) content in Chlorella vulgaris. The inhibitory effects of I intensively depended on the length of alkyl chain showing quasi-parabolic (Chlorella vulgaris) or bilinear (PET) course. IC50 value related to reduction of Chl content in C. vulgaris for dodecyl derivative was 0.6 × 10−6 mol dm−3 indicating its strong anti-algal effect. Using EPR spectroscopy as the site of inhibitory action of I in the photosynthetic apparatus the intermediates Z∗ and D∗ or their close surroundings were determined. As a further target of I inhibitory action the manganese cluster occurring on the donor side of photosystem II was estimated.

Influence of N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethylamine N-oxide on the activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-transporting ATPase reconstituted into diacylphosphatidylcholine vesicles: Effects of bilayer physical parameters

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-transporting ATPase (EC 3.6.1.38) was isolated from rabbit white muscle, purified and reconstituted into vesicles of synthetic diacylphosphatidylcholines with monounsaturated acyl chains using the cholate dilution method. In fluid bilayers at 37 degrees C, the specific activity of ATPase displays a maximum (31.5+/-0.8 IU/mg) for dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (diC18:1PC) and decreases progressively for both shorter and longer acyl chain lengths. Besides the hydrophobic mismatch between protein and lipid bilayer, changes in the bilayer hydration and lateral interactions detected by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) can contribute to this acyl chain length dependence. When reconstituted into dierucoylphosphatidylcholine (diC22:1PC), the zwitterionic surfactant N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethylamine N-oxide (C12NO) stimulates the ATPase activity from 14.2+/-0.6 to 32.5+/-0.8 IU/mg in the range of molar ratios C12NO:diC22:1PC=0/1.2. In dilauroylphosphatidylcholines (diC12:0PC) and diC18:1PC, the effect of C12NO is twofold-the ATPase activity is stimulated at low and inhibited at high C12NO concentrations. In diC18:1PC, it is observed an increase of activity induced by C12NO in the range of molar ratios C12NO:diC18:1PC< or =1.3 in bilayers, where the bilayer thickness estimated by SANS decreases by 0.4+/-0.1 nm. In this range, the 31P-NMR chemical shift anisotropy increases indicating an effect of C12NO on the orientation of the phosphatidylcholine dipole N(+)-P- accompanied by a variation of the local membrane dipole potential. A decrease of the ATPase activity is observed in the range of molar ratios C12NO:diC18:1PC=1.3/2.5, where mixed tubular micelles are detected by SANS in C12NO+diC18:1PC mixtures. It is concluded that besides hydrophobic thickness changes, the changes in dipole potential and curvature frustration of the bilayer could contribute as well to C12NO effects on Ca(2+)-ATPase activity.

Effects of N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine-N-oxides on the activity of purified sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase

N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine-N-oxides (CnNO, n = 10-20 is the number of alkyl carbon atoms) stimulate the skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase activity at low concentrations and inhibit it at high concentrations. The minimum concentration (cmin), at which CnNO inhibits the ATPase, continuously decreases up to n = 16-18 and then increases. The values of Cmin are smaller than the CnNO critical micelle concentration (cmc) for C10NO-C14NO homologs, but larger than cmc for C18NO-C20NO homologs. The ATPase inhibition is caused by the CnNO-induced lipid bilayer structural perturbation in the ATPase annular region, modulated by the partition equilibria of the CnNO molecules between the bilayer and aqueous phase for short alkyl chain (n = 10-16) CnNO homologs, and between the bilayer, micelles and aqueous phase for long alkyl chain (n = 18-20) CnNO homologs.

[Solubilization of unilamellar egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes by N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine N-oxides]

The solubilization of extruded (100 nm) unilamellar egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) liposomes by a series of N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine N-oxides (CnNO, n = 10-14 carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent) was studied using turbidimetry. The solubilizing concentration of CnNO (cS) was estimated as the CnNO concentration causing the half-maximum decrease in turbidance. From the linear cS dependence on EYPC concentration, the lipid--aqueous phase molar partition coefficient (Kp) and the CnNO:EYPC molar ratio in the CnNO + EYPC aggregates (nL:nEYPC) at cS were obtained: Kp = 82 +/- 25 and nL:nEYPC = 0.70 +/- 0.20 for C10NO, Kp = 507 +/- 215 and nL:nEYPC = 0.60 +/- 0.16 for C12NO, and Kp = 12357 +/- 93 and nL:nEYPC = 1.13 +/- 0.01 for C14NO. The value of Gibbs free energy of CnNO alkyl methylene group transfer from the aqueous to the lipid phase calculated from the Kp dependence on n is -1.2 +/- 0.2 RT (R = gas constant, T = absolute temperature), within the experimental error being the same as -1.026 +/- 0.006 RT obtained from the critical micellar concentrations of CnNO. The increased value of nL:nEYPC for C14NO is caused by the decreased hydrophobic mismatch of CnNO and EYPC hydrocarbon chain lengths. This mismatch results in a structural defect in the bilayer hydrophobic core, the primary cause of bilayer destabilization and solubilization.

X-ray diffraction and neutron scattering studies of amphiphile-lipid bilayer organization

The lipid bilayer thickness d(L), the transbilayer distance of lipid phosphate groups d(pp/inf> and the lipid surface area A(L) of fluid hydrated bilayers of lamellar phases of egg phosphatidylcholine or dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine containing N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine N-oxides (CnNO), 1,4-butanedi-ammonium-N,N'-dialkyl-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl dibromides (GSn) or mono-hydrochlorides of [2-(alkyloxy)phenyl]-2-(1-piperidinyl)ethylesters of carbamic acid (CnA) were obtained by X-ray diffraction, and the bilayer thickness in extruded unilamellar dioleoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles containing C12NO was obtained by the neutron scattering. The values of d(L), d(pp/inf> and A(L) change linearly up to the 1:1 amphiphile:lipid molar ratio. The slopes of these dependencies increase for d(L) and d(pp/inf> and decrease for AL) with an increasing number of carbons n in the amphiphile long hydrocarbon substituent (18> or =n> or =8 for CnNO, 16> or =n> or =9 for GSn, 12> or =n> or =5 for CnA), while the opposite trends are observed for the short substituent (8> or =n>/=6 for CnNO, 9> or =n> or =7 for GSn, 5> or =n> or =3 for CnA). In case of long substituents, the effects on dL), dpp/inf> and AL) are caused by the decrease in the difference between the lipid and amphiphile hydrocarbon chain lengths and by the increase in their van der Waals attraction. The short substituent amphiphiles are mobile and exchange between multiple binding sites in the bilayer, minimizing the bilayer surface area.

Aggregation Properties of Sodium Hyaluronate with Alkanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(dimethylalkylammonium Bromide) Surfactants in Aqueous Sodium Chloride Solution

Aggregation properties of sodium hyaluronate (NaHA) with alkanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(dimethylalkylammonium bromide) surfactants (referred to as dimeric surfactants) in aqueous sodium chloride solutions have been studied as a function of surfactant chemical structure. Surface tension measurements indicate the unusual parabolic dependence of surface tension vs log surfactant concentration with a surface tension minimum at concentration c(min). The increase of surface tension above c(min) may be related to the formation of clusters consisting of NaHA chain and dimeric surfactants at the air-water interface and in the bulk. From light scattering measurements, molecular weight, hydrodynamic radius, and second virial coefficient have been calculated. The simple calculation of the ratio of positive charge of dimeric surfactant unit per one negatively charged hyaluronate disaccharidic unit in NaHA-surfactant complex reveals that there is a slight excess of positive surfactant charges per one negatively charged disaccharidic unit in the region around c(min) and the NaHA-surfactant complex is not far from electroneutrality. The nonlinear behavior of viscosity vs surfactant concentration in the NaHA-dimeric surfactant system depends on surfactant chemical structure. The behavior is concerned with the size increase due to complex growth and with the size shrinkage above c(min). A model describing the behavior of NaHA-surfactant complex in the bulk and at the interface is suggested. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

[Inter-organ variability in enzymatic hydrolysis of ammonium salts in rats in vitro]

The study evaluated the rate and kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis of N-(2-benzoyloxyethyl)-alkyl-dimethylammonium bromides, potential easily biodegradable disinfectants of soft character. The products of enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrates under study, catalysed by microsomal esterase, included substituted substrates choline and benzoic acid which, as a hydrolytic product, was essayed by HPLC. The effect of the length of the alkyl chain of the individual homologues on the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis and their affinity to microsomal esterase of the rat liver and lung in vitro was examined. The structural modification (varying length of the aliphatic chain on the ammonium nitrogen of these compounds) was found to significantly influence the kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis of the esteric bond. From the viewpoint of the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis no significant inter-organ variability was observed: in the liver as well as the lung the dependence of the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis on the length of the aliphatic chain possesses the shape of a falling hyperbole with the maxima for BCH2 > BCH4 > BCH8 = BCH10. The specific activity of both esterases ranges within 0.2-3.5 nmol.min-1.mg-1. From the viewpoint of affinity, a marked inter-organ difference was manifested by 10 times higher affinity of the substrates to the lung microsomal esterase in comparison with the liver one. The effect of the length of the alkyl of the individual homologues on the affinity is of a non-linear character also in this case. In both organs, a certain correlation was found between the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis and affinity to microsomal esterases.

QSAR and CAMM study of amphiphilic antimicrobially active 2,2'-bipyridyl monoammonium salts

Preparation of 2,2'-bipyridyl monoammonium salts is described as well as their conformation study using computer aided molecular modelling (CAMM) methods and quantitative relations between structure, aggregation properties and antimicrobial activity (QSAR) of these derivatives. It was found that using the applied synthetic route the monoammonium salt is prepared free of bis-ammonium salt. While in the case of the unsubstituted 2,2'-bipyridyl the energy difference between s-cis and s-trans conformers is minor and the transition from one state into the other one is possible with s-trans state apparently being preferred, after quaternisation the exclusive conformer is s-cis that is in this state fixed except of steric hindrance between the alkyl substituent bonded to the N+ atom and the hydrogen bonded to 3'C also by a weak hydrogen interaction C-H ... N between the hydrogen of the first carbon of the alkyl chain and the nitrogen of the adjacent ring. This finding is supported also by the results of calculation of point electric charges, dipole moments, 2C-2'C distance and torsion angles of non-quaternised as well as bipyridinium cations. It follows from quantitative dependencies between lipophilicity (expressed by means of aggregation properties-by critical concentration of micelle formation ck, and chromatographic factor RM), structure (length of alkyl chain m) and antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibition concentration, MIC) that the maximum of activity is achieved with compounds of chain length m = 13 to 16 with ck about 1.10(-3) mol/l. It follows from the comparison with simple alkylpyridinium salts that the mechanism of biological activity at the bacterial level will not differ in 2,2'-dipyridyl derivatives from the mechanism of activity of other ammonium salts.

Quantitative relationships between structure and antimicrobial activity of new "soft" bisquaternary ammonium salts

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.

Amphiphilic detergents inhibit production of IgG and IgM by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

All types (cationic, anionic and non-ionic) amphiphilic detergents significantly inhibited the production of both IgG and IgM by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells after polyclonal activation in vitro. The most potent inhibitors were didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) and (1-methyldodecyl)dimethylamine N-oxide (2-ATDNO). They were able to suppress effectively the immunoglobulin production in 10(-3)-10(-8) M concentrations. A medium inhibitory effect was observed with Slovapon, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and Triton X-100, while Slovanik showed an inhibition only in concentrations higher than 10(-2)%. These results suggest that amphiphilic detergents may be characterized as potential immunotoxic substances with very negative effects on the immunoglobulin production.

Primary biodegradation of amine oxide and quaternary ammonium amphiphiles

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.

Enhanced biodegradation of a hard bis-quaternary ammonium salt

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.

Potassium leakage from Escherichia coli cells treated by organic ammonium salts

The effect of the homologous series of 1,1-dialkylpiperidinium bromides on the potassium leakage from Escherichia coli cells has been studied. The minimum concentration for each compound which is able to release maximum of cellular potassium has been determined and correlated with the inhibitory activities of the compounds. The relationship between the structure and the activity enables to consider the K+ leakage as the marker of inhibitory activity of the membrane active antimicrobials.

Adsorption on bacterial spores depending on the aggregation properties of antimicrobial tensides

A change in interaction with spores of Bacillus cereus occurred in the range of critical concentrations of micelle formation. With 1-methyldodecyldimethylamine-N-oxide and N,N'-bis(dodecyldimethyl)-1,2-ethanediammonium dibromide, the induced release of dipicolinic acid was blocked and the adsorption dynamics changed, respectively.

[Organic ammonium salts. XLI. Preparation, aggregation properties and antimicrobial activity of N-[2-(10-undecenoyloxy)ethyl]-N,N,N-alkyldimethylammonium bromides]

The paper describes the preparation of 7 novel organic ammonium salts of N-[2-(10-undecenoyloxy)ethyl]-N,N,N-alkyl-dimethylammonium bromides, in which the alkyl chain was gradually lengthened from ethyl to tetradecyl, constantly keeping the other groups (10-undecenoyloxyethyl and methyl) bound to the ammonium nitrogen. In the paper the antimicrobial effect of the prepared ammonium salts and the aggregative properties of their aqueous solutions were studied. The aggregative properties are expressed by the values of the critical concentration of the micelles formation, which were determined tensiometrically and conductometrically. The antimicrobial activity expressed by the minimal inhibition concentration in dependence on the prolongation of the alkyl chain was determined by the dilution test on the strains Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. As follows from the table, all ammonium salts prepared were active in this respect, the most effective ones possessing 6, 8 and 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. They were more effective than the standard Ajatin to all strains of the microorganisms tested. The antimicrobial effect decreased with the increasing length of the alkyl chain. Also the structure--activity relationship was quantified by the QSAR analysis methods using two procedures: the dependence log ck vs. m was linear and the dependence log (1/MIC) vs. m and log (1/MIC) vs. log ck were nonlinear. The calculated coefficients of regression equations and statistical evaluation of dependences are shown in Table 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of N,N'-bis(alkyldimethyl)-alpha, omega-alkanediammonium dibromides on bacteria of the genus Clostridium

Antibacterial effect of 17 ammonium compounds of the type of N,N'-bis(alkyldimethyl)-alpha, omega-alkanediammonium dibromides was tested on anaerobically sporulating bacteria of the genus Clostridium. A sizable antibacterial activity was displayed by five N,N'-bis(alkyldimethyl)-1,6-hexanediammonium dibromides and by four N,N'-bis(decyldimethyl)-alpha, omega-alkanediammonium dibromides. These compounds exhibited activity higher than, or comparable with, that of the reference standards Ajatin and Septonex. The maximum antibacterial activity was found in compounds whose alkyl chain contained 9-12 carbon atoms. Compounds with a lower number of carbon atoms in the chain (less than 8) exhibited a low activity.

A spin label study of perturbation effects of N-(1-methyldodecyl)-N, N, N-trimethylammonium bromide and N-(1-methyldodecyl)-N, N-dimethylamine oxide on model membranes prepared from Escherichia coli-isolated lipids

Interaction of bactericidal surfactants N-(1-methyldodecyl)-N, N, N-trimethylammonium bromide (2-ATDBr) and N-(1-methyldodecyl)-N, N-dimethylamine oxide (2-ATDNO) with phospholipid membranes prepared from Escherichia coli -- isolated lipids was studied by ESR spectroscopy using m-doxyl stearic acid (m-DSA, m = 5, 12, 16) and N-cetyl-N, N-dimethyl-N-tempoylammonium bromide spin labels located in different membrane depths. 2-ATDBr was found to be a more potent membrane perturbant than 2-ATDNO both at equal membrane and sample concentrations; this is in compliance with the respective antimicrobial activities of these agents. Using the statistical model of hydrocarbon chains in lipid bilayers, the probabilities of the formation of gauche conformations and the effective energy differences between the trans and gauche conformations were calculated from m-DSA order parameters for two different bilayer regions. Based on these parameters, a molecular model of the location of surfactant molecules in bilayer has been formulated. It has been suggested that at low concentrations the surfactant molecules are located in structural defects between lipid clusters in the bilayer. After filling up these defects, the surfactant molecules penetrate into the clusters between lipid molecules, expand the bilayer laterally and increase the amount of gauche conformations in the hydrocarbon chains in the hydrophobic core of the bilayer.

Interaction of amine oxides and quaternary ammonium salts with membrane and membrane-associated processes in E. coli cells: mode of action

The antimicrobials (1-methyldodecyl)dimethylamine oxide and (1-methyldodecyl)trimethylammonium bromide affect the cytoplasmic membrane of E. coli. The interaction results in release of intracellular material (K+, 260nm-absorbing material), an effect on dehydrogenase enzyme activity and inhibition of respiration. The final effect of both substances is the same; they differ only in their dynamics. The effect of the membrane was correlated with parameters characterizing these surfactants i.e. critical micelle concentration (c.m.c.) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) over the concentration range of 10(-4) to 10(-1) mmol/dm3 of active substance. The three stage mode of action model can be summarized as follows: 1-polar (coulombic) interactions, 2-polar and hydrophobic interactions, 3-hydrophobic interactions (extraction and solubilization). The polar and hydrophobic interactions (1st and 2nd stage) are discussed also in relation to model membranes.

Inhibitory effect of 1-methyldodecyldimethylamine oxide and N,N-bis(dodecyldimethyl)-1,2-ethanediammonium dibromide on the spores of Bacillus cereus

1-Methyldodecyldimethylamine oxide (MDDO) and N,N'-bis(dodecyldimethyl)-1,2-ethanediammonium dibromide (BDED) exhibit a significant affinity for the surface of Bacillus cereus spores and adsorb very rapidly to the cells; they have a pronounced inhibitory effect on spore outgrowth. In order to alter the affinity of the spore surface for these inhibitors, the spores were pretreated with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and with an electronegative (Tween 80) and electropositive (histone) compound. In SDS-pretreated spores the inhibitory effect of MDDO and BDED was abolished to a considerable extent. Whereas the development of intact spores was inhibited already after germination, in SDS-pretreated spores the postgermination development continued but was not completed. In Tween 80-pretreated spores the addition of BDED led only to a retardation of outgrowth and division; BDED added only during the division stage interrupted further development completely. Histone-pretreated spores stopped their development instantaneously after the addition of BDED at any phase of the postgermination development. The possible mechanisms of the interaction of the compounds used with spore surface or rather with the state of its structures are discussed.

Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase in Down's syndrome

Based on earlier reports indicating that Down's syndrome may represent an atheroma-free human model, two groups of institutionalized subjects were compared with respect to various parameters of their plasma lipid transport system. One group of subjects was comprised of Down's syndrome subjects and the second, a group of mentally retarded individuals. Parameters measured included plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein levels (A-I, B, C-III, and E), lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, body mass and blood pressure. Statistical analyses indicated no significant differences between the two groups except for the lower fractional rate of cholesterol esterification (% cholesterol esterified per hour, p = 0.0049) in the Down's syndrome subjects. Adjustment for the effects of body mass and age revealed no other significant differences between the two groups except for a lower molar rate of esterification (nmol cholesterol esterified X h-1 X ml-1, p less than 0.0063) in the Down's syndrome subjects. Additional differences between the two groups were revealed by partial correlational analyses of LCAT activity with the measured parameters or ratios of these parameters which suggests that the composition and/or metabolism of lipoproteins may differ between these two groups. Whether the lower LCAT activity and the other differences reflected by the correlational analyses contribute to the decreased incidence of atherosclerotic lesions in Down's syndrome remains to be elucidated.

Preparation and antimicrobial activity of some new bisquaternary ammonium salts

A series of new bisquaternary ammonium dibromides of the type N,N'-bis(decyldimethyl)-alpha, omega-alkanediammonium dibromides and N,N'-bis(4-aryloxybutyldimethyl)-1,6-hexane diammonium dibromides has been prepared and screened for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. In the first group of compounds the connecting alkyl chain had 2 to 6, 8, 10 and 12 carbon atoms, in the second one in the 4-aryloxybutyl linkage the aryl was phenyl, p-methylphenyl, p-tert-butylphenyl-p-chlorophenyl-1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl. The effect on the antimicrobial activity of the length of the hydrocarbon chain linking the two nitrogen atoms and the effect of replacing the long alkyl chain with substituted or unsubstituted 4-aryloxybutyl groups was studied.

Antimicrobial activity of N,N'-bis(decylmethyl)-alpha,omega-alkanediamine dioxides [1]

Antimicrobial activity of N,N'-bis(decylmethyl)-alpha,omega-alkanediamine dioxides determined on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans is presented as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The effect of the length of linking alkylene chain on this activity has been followed.

The effect of quaternary ammonium compounds and amine oxides on spores of Bacillus cereus

The effect of 1-dodecylpiperidine 1-oxide and N,N'-bis(dodecyldimethyl)-1,2-ethane diammonium dibromide on the spores of Bacillus cereus. particularly their binding to intact spores and spores with reduced cystine bonds, was investigated. The Langmuir type of binding is involved in both cases. Both compounds decreased the thermoresistance of spores. DPNO decreased the fraction of non-germinating spores, the effect of the drug increasing with increasing concentration. This phenomenon was associated with a faster release of dipicolinic acid to the medium. Only microgermination proceeded in the presence of BDED and dipicolinic acid was released only in substantially lower amounts. Both compounds also influenced respiration.

Antimicrobial effect of bis-quaternary ammonium salts derived from 1,3-propanediamine

Antimicrobial activity of bis-quaternary ammonium salts derived from 1,3-propanediamine and 1,3-diamino-2-propanol is described. Effect of the length of alkyl chain and the substitution in the connecting chain on this activity was studied.

The effect of homologous local anesthetics of the 4-alkoxy- and 4-alkylamino-benzoic acid-diethylamino-esthylester- hydrochloride series on the glucose transport in human erythrocytes

The homologous compounds of the 4-alkoxy- and 4-alkylamino-series inhibit the exchange transport of glucose in human erythrocytes; they show a competitive inhibition with one or two inhibitor molecules which become bound to a singular site of the transport system for glucose. The importance of length of hydrocarbon chain of the localanesthetics for the mode of their action is discussed.

Antimicrobial activity of quaternary ammonium salts of some saturated heterocycloalkyl amines [1]

Antimicrobial activity of N-alkyl-N-dodecylpiperidinium bromides and N-ethyl-N-dodecylheterocycloalkyl ammonium bromides (pyrrolidine, morpholine, perhydroazepine) determined on grampositive and gramnegative bacteria, yeasts and moulds, presented as minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Comparison of the effect of change of structure: lengthening of alkyl chain, change of heterocyclic ring. Change in the length of alkyl chain markedly affects the antimicrobial activity, change of heterocyclic ring has no substantial effect. The most active compounds were N-heptyl-and N-hexyl-N-dodecylpiperidinium bromides.

Antimicrobial efficacy of some N,N'-dialkyl-N,N'-dimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine dioxides

A total of 17 N,N'-dialkyl-N,N'-dimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine dioxides were tested for activity against three microorganisms. A relationship was found between the length of the alkyl substituent and antimicrobial activity.

Inhibition of glucose transport in human erythrocytes by benzylalcohol

The inhibition of glucose transport by the non-ionizable local-anesthetic denzylalcohol is of the mixed type and independent of pH. The affinity of benzylalcohol to the free carrier is about three times larger than that to the carrier-glucose complex.

Interaction of local anesthetics with the transport system of glucose in human erythrocytes

Local anesthetics inhibit the exhange transport of glucose in human erythroytes. All compounds tested showed a competitive inhibition except lidocaine and baycaine causing a non-competitive one. Moreover the transport system can bind two inhibitor molecules to one transport site as described for tetracaine and oxybuprocaine.