Formation of a Chlorhexidine Degradation Intermediate through Pyruvate Incorporation by Pseudomonas sp. no.A-3

Abstract

Pseudomonas sp. strain no. A-3 (abbreviated as A-3) was able to degrade chlorhexidine to a chlorhexidine degradation intermediate (abbreviated as CHDI-B). We investigated the formation of CHDI-B, and its antibacterial activities. By the addition of [1-¹⁴C] pyruvate, [1-¹⁴C] lactate or [1-¹⁴C] propionate to the incubation mixture, the incorporation of [1-¹⁴C] pyruvate or [1-¹⁴C] -lactate to chlorhexidine was observed. The formation of CHDI-B by the incorporation of lactate was considered to occur after the latter's oxidation to pyruvate. The antibacterial activities of CHDI-B and other related compounds decreased to 1/5 - 1/10 that of chlorhexidine. It was thought that the modification of chlorhexidine is one of the resistant mechanisms of A-3.