Two types of polycations with pendant active groups were synthesized: one is polymethacrylate containing pendant biguanide units, and the other is poly(vinylbenzyl ammonium chloride). The two polycations were found to exhibit higher bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus than the corresponding monomers. Fractionation of the polycations was successfully performed on gel filtration c...

Cooling towers provide an ideal environment for microbial growth and have been attributed as a source for accumulation and dissemination of pathogenic organisms, especially Legionella pneumophila [1,2]. Since Legionella infections have frequently been traced to contaminated aerosols generated at distances over 6 km, cooling systems have a potential risk for public health. Inhalation of Legionel...

A significant effort worldwide is being directed toward development of novel biocides against drug-resistant bacterial and viruses because of the significant potential human infection risks in the general population. We report here the discovery of a strong antiviral biocide, dialdheyde starch (DAS). Antiviral tests were carried out against three non-envelop viruses, including two bacterial vir...

The use of subinhibitory concentrations biocides in food processing environments requires special attention because it is related to potential increases antibiotic resistance. In this study, we determined the effect exposure low doses four (sodium hypochlorite, SHY; benzalkonium chloride, BZK; peracetic acid, PAA; trisodium phosphate, TSP) on resistance 10 antibiotics and hydrophobicity cellula...

The effectiveness of glutaraldehyde (GTA), a very common biocide for controlling biofilms formed by Pseudomonas fluorescens on stainless steel slides, in laminar and turbulent flow, was investigated. Tests were performed using a concentration of biocide of 200 mg L(-1) and a range of exposure times. The GTA action was assessed by means of activity tests and dry weight of the biofilms. The physi...

The environment is increasingly being recognized for the role it might play in the global spread of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance. Environmental regulators monitor and control many of the pathways responsible for the release of resistance-driving chemicals into the environment (e.g., antimicrobials, metals, and biocides). Hence, environmental regulators should be contributing signif...

There has recently been much controversy surrounding the increased use of antibacterial substances in a wide range of consumer products and the possibility that, as with antibiotics, indiscriminate use of biocides might contribute to the overall pattern of susceptibility in the general environment and in the clinic. Such speculation, based on the isolation of resistant mutants from in vitro mon...

The efficacy of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in eliminating organisms present in estuarine ballast water of a containership was determined under actual operating conditions by comparing the survival of planktonic communities present in waters of treated and control ballast tanks. Sampling was via ballast-tank hatches. The treatment (5 mg L(-1)ClO2 without pre-filtration) delivered by a prototype ClO...