Synthesis of bis-sulfonium lipids and their antibacterial ability

Abstract

Gemini cationic surfactants have great advantages as antibacterial agents. Herein, a group of bis-sulfonium lipids was synthesized and their antibacterial activities were investigated on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial stains. The activity of bis-sulfonium lipids was related to the hydrophobic substitution. When each of the sulfonium contained one long alkyl chain and the spacer was short, the gemini salt exhibited strong inhibition. The compound with benzyl, decyl and pentylene spacer exhibited the broad antibacterial activity, and was more sensitive on Gram-negative than commercial quaternary ammonium salts. The mechanism study showed that increasing cell membrane permeability and disrupting the cell membrane are important pathways for inhibiting bacteria.