A study of pyridinium-type functional polymers. IV. Behavioral features ofthe antibacterial activity of insoluble pyridinium-type polymers

The antibacterial activity of insoluble pyridinium-type polymers with diffe rent structures against Escherichia coli suspended in sterilized and distil led water was investigated by a colony count method. The results show that the antibacterial activity of insoluble pyridinium-type polymers, except fo r one containing I, is characterized by an ability to capture bacterial cel ls in a living state by adsorption or adhesion, with the process of capturi ng bacterial cells being at least partially irreversible. This feature diff ers from the antibacterial activity of the corresponding soluble polymers, which is characterized by the ability to kill bacterial cells in water. In addition, insoluble pyridinium-type polymers can also capture dead bacteria l cells. This implies that insoluble pyridinium-type polymers possess broad prospects for development in new water treatment techniques and whole-cell immobilization techniques. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.