Antimicrobial Properties of Polyelectrolyte–Amphiphilic Surfactant Complexes Containing Quaternary Ammonium Groups

Polymer-colloid complexes of polystyrenesulfonate and sodium polyacrylate with dimethyl-alkyl(С_8-16)benzylammonium chlorides and polyvinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride with sodium dodecyl sulfate and laurate having similar structures of ion pairs macromolecular ion–counterion are synthesized. The composition of the resulting complexes is analyzed. Their antimicrobial properties are investigated. It is shown that the complexes in which quaternary ammonium groups serve as counterions and are bound to macromolecular chains via electrostatic interaction possess a higher antifungal activity than the complexes in which these groups are bound to macromolecular chains via covalent bonds. An important role of molecules of the ammonium compound containing a long-chain alkyl substituent which are involved in the form of associates in the composition of the complex in the antifungal activity of the complexes is demonstrated. A comparative analysis of the properties of film coatings based on the synthesized complexes is performed.