The antibacterial mechanism of Quaternary ammonium salts

In 1924, D L. Friedell proposed an explanation for the antibacterial activity process of cationic surfactants, which involves the disintegration, modification, and release of nitrogen and phosphorus substances from the cellular structure of basic proteins. It is generally believed that cationic surfactants achieve bactericidal or antibacterial effects through the following steps: firstly, they directly act on proteins to change their nature and disrupt them; Secondly, it inhibits metabolism by interacting with enzymes; The third is the role of cell infiltration and membrane disruption; The fourth is to stimulate glycolytic reactions.

The inhibition of microbial activity by cationic surfactants is to prevent their growth, thereby limiting the concentration of microorganisms and avoiding further pollution. Therefore, it is necessary to study the minimum inhibitory concentration at which cationic surfactants can prevent microbial growth. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) varies with different microorganisms or cationic surfactants, and also varies with changes in the usage environment.

Kawabata's research suggests that the antibacterial mechanism of quaternary ammonium cationic fungicides is that the fungicide adsorbs onto the surface of negatively charged bacteria, diffuses through the cell wall, binds with the bacterial plasma membrane to rupture, and the bacteria die due to the release of their contents. T. E. Cloete's research indicates that the action of antibacterial agents is to first adsorb onto the surface of bacterial cells, then cross the cell wall or membrane to reach its target site, such as the cell membrane, respiratory system, enzymes, and genetic material.

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