Antibacterial Action of Decamethylenebis-(4-Amino-5, 6, 7, 8-Tetrahydroquinaldinium) Acetate against Escherichia coli

Abstract

An investigation of the antibacterial action of decamethylenebis-(4-amino-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydroquinaldinium) acetate (THQ-Ac), a new antimicrobial compound, against Escherichia coli in comparison with the commonly available surface active agents was conducted. At high concentration, THQ-Ac inhibited synthesis of protein and nucleic acid in E. coli; its action, however, was not highly specific. Leakage of cellular constituents took place by the action of THQ-Ac but the amount of leakage was not as great as that induced by the same concentration of cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Cationic agents, such as CTAB and benzalkonium chloride, caused the lysis of the spheroplast of E. coli, whereas THQ-Ac did not. Additionally, adsorption of THQ-Ac to the cell-wall of E. coli also was investigated. According to our results, the site of action of THQ-Ac was considered to be the surface of bacterial cells, and it seemed to possess somewhat different activities from the other surface active agents.