Polyaminopropyl biguanide (PAPB) is a
disinfectant and a preservative used for disinfection on skin and in cleaning solutions for
contact lenses. It is also an ingredient in many deodorant bodysprays. It is a
polymer
A polymer (; Greek '' poly-'', "many" + ''-mer'', "part")
is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules called macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. Due to their broad spectrum of properties, both synthetic a ...
or
oligomer where
biguanide
Biguanide () is the organic compound with the formula HN(C(NH)NH2)2. It is a colorless solid that dissolves in water to give highly basic solution. These solutions slowly hydrolyse to ammonia and urea.
Synthesis
Biguanide can be obtained from ...
functional group
In organic chemistry, a functional group is a substituent or moiety in a molecule that causes the molecule's characteristic chemical reactions. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reactions regardless of the re ...
s are connected by propyl hydrocarbon chains. PAPB is specifically
bactericidal at very low concentrations (10 mg/L) and is also
fungicidal.
Biocidal activity
It has a unique method of action: the polymer strands are incorporated into the bacterial cell membrane, which disrupts the membrane and reduces its permeability, which has a lethal effect to bacteria. It is also known to bind to bacterial DNA, alter its transcription, and cause lethal DNA damage.
Disinfectant
PAPB solutions are sold for use as a general disinfectant solution to be applied onto skin. As it is not
cytotoxic, it can be applied directly into wounds. It is also not irritating like more traditional disinfectants such as alcohols (
ethanol
Ethanol (abbr. EtOH; also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol) is an organic compound. It is an alcohol with the chemical formula . Its formula can be also written as or (an ethyl group linked to a ...
,
isopropanol) and oxidizers (
iodine).
Contact lens solution
A contact lens solution containing polyaminopropyl biguanide in combination with a borate buffer has been patented. The solution is disinfecting and preservative and has a broad spectrum of bactericidal and fungicidal activity at low concentrations coupled with very low toxicity when used with soft-type contact lenses.
See also
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Antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes evolve mechanisms that protect them from the effects of antimicrobials. All classes of microbes can evolve resistance. Fungi evolve antifungal resistance. Viruses evolve antiviral resistance. P ...
*
Polyhexanide, a related
biguanide
Biguanide () is the organic compound with the formula HN(C(NH)NH2)2. It is a colorless solid that dissolves in water to give highly basic solution. These solutions slowly hydrolyse to ammonia and urea.
Synthesis
Biguanide can be obtained from ...
disinfectant
*
Benzalkonium chloride
Benzalkonium chloride (BZK, BKC, BAK, BAC), also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC) and by the trade name Zephiran, is a type of cationic surfactant. It is an organic salt classified as a quaternary ammonium compound. ADBACs ha ...
*
Stearalkonium chloride
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Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is an aminopolycarboxylic acid with the formula H2N(CH2CO2H)2sub>2. This white, water-soluble solid is widely used to bind to iron (Fe2+/Fe3+) and calcium ions (Ca2+), forming water-soluble complexes ev ...
*
Triclosan
Triclosan (sometimes abbreviated as TCS) is an antibacterial and antifungal agent present in some consumer products, including toothpaste, soaps, detergents, toys, and surgical cleaning treatments. It is similar in its uses and mechanism of ac ...
*
Thiomersal
References
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Polymers
Biguanides
Preservatives
Disinfectants