Synthesis and antibacterial characterization of gemini surfactant monomers and copolymers

A series of novel quaternary ammonium gemini monomers with broad-spectrum antibacterial activities were synthesized with a facile method. The surface tensions at various concentrations of gemini monomers were measured. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of these gemini monomers were evaluated by quantifying the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results indicated that the quaternary ammonium gemini monomers showed lower surface tensions and good activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi, compared with a commercially available n-dodecyl-trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). These monomers could be easily copolymerized with N-(3-aminopropyl) methacrylamide hydrochloride (APMA) using free radical polymerization to develop novel antibacterial polymers.