Ester-bonded cationic gemini surfactants: Assessment of their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity

Abstract We have assessed the biological properties such as cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of a series of biocompatible ester-linked cationic gemini surfactants, ethane-1,2-diyl bis( N , N -dimethyl- N -alkylammoniumacetoxy) dichlorides (m-E2-m, m = 12, 14, 16). The effect of alkyl chain length (12, 14 and 16 carbon atoms) on their antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity was examined. Antimicrobial activity of m-E2-m, against various prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, was studied by measuring the diameter of inhibition zone whereas cytotoxicity was evaluated using 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells. Toxic effect against these cells depends upon the type of the target microorganisms, nature of the cells, and hydrophobicity of the molecules. Antimicrobial activity of the gemini surfactant 16-E2-16 is lower than that of its corresponding single-chain counterpart. The gemini surfactants used for the present study (m-E2-m) which have excellent surface properties and much lower cmc values show low toxicity and significant antimicrobial activity.