Studies on the antifungal activities of the novel synthesized chelating co-polymer emulsion lattices and their silver complexes

• Main Authors: Abd-El-Ghaffar M.A., Kansoh A.L., Youssef E.A.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux 2008-01-01
• Series: Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement
• Subjects: Antifungal properties; biocide; Biological activity; chelate; ion release; novel compound; silver
• Online Access: http://www.pressesagro.be/base/text/v12n3/231.pdf

The novel binary chelating co-polymers of butyl acrylate with itaconic and maleic acids were prepared by emulsion polymerization process. The chelating co-polymers of butyl acrylate-co-itaconic acid (BuA/IA) and butyl acrylate-co-maleic acid (BuA/MA) and their silver complexes were characterized and identified using IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The biological activities of these compounds were studied against various types of fungal species. The dose and the rate of leached silver ions were controlled by the type of the co-polymers used and the solubility in the medium. The results provided laboratory support for the concept that the polymers containing chemically bound biocide are useful for controlling microbial growth. The silver uptake by strains of different fungal species was studied to determine their difference in behavior to the antifungal activities of these compounds. The uptake strategy was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).