New Material Kills E. coli in 30 Seconds

A novel oligomer can kill 99.7% of E. coli bacteria within 30 seconds aided by its chain-like structure, which helps it penetrate the cell membrane and destroy the bacteria.

Researchers at The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR; Singapore) developed the imidazolium oligomers, which come in the form of a white, water-soluble powder. Molecular dynamic simulations of the oligomer revealed a delicate effect manifested by structural changes in the translocation motion across the microbial cell membrane, which suggest that the spontaneous penetration requires a very short timescale, killing over 99.7% of the bacteria within 30 seconds.

Additionally, when dissolved in alcohol, the imidazolium oligomers gel spontaneously, thanks to the hydrophobicity of the end-group chain. The material could thus be incorporated in alcoholic sprays used for sterilization in hospitals or homes, providing superior activity and excellent selectivity by targeting the cell membrane. In contrast, antibiotics only kill the bacteria, without destroying the cell membrane, thus leaving the cell structure intact, allowing new antibiotic-resistant bacteria to grow. A study describing the new imidazolium oligomers was published on April 14, 2016, in Small.

“The global threat of drug-resistant bacteria has given rise to the urgent need for new materials that can kill and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria,” said lead author Professor Jackie Ying, PhD, executive director of the A*STAR Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN). “Our new antimicrobial material could be used in consumer and personal care products to support good personal hygiene practices and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.”

“Our unique material can kill bacteria rapidly and inhibit the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Computational chemistry studies supported our experimental findings that the chain-like compound works by attacking the cell membrane,” concluded corresponding author Yugen Zhang, PHD. “This material is also safe for use because it carries a positive charge that targets the more negatively charged bacteria, without destroying red blood cells.”

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