Antimicrobial activity of anion exchangers containing cupric compounds against Enterococcus faecalis

Abstract

Four hybrid ion exchangers (HIXs) containing different cupric compounds – cupric hydroxide, tenorite and brochantite – deposited within the structure of macroporous and gel-type anion exchangers were studied for their antibacterial activity. Proposed HIXs contained different amounts of the cupric load (in the range 52.0–82.0 mg/g of Cu(II)), which was differently deposited in the polymeric beads depending on the synthesis route and the porous structure of the host polymer. All studied materials, including supporting anion exchangers without the cupric deposit, exhibited antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 in the following order: macroporous HIX with cupric hydroxide >> gel-type HIX with brochantite > macroporous HIX with tenorite = gel-type HIX with tenorite > macroporous anion exchanger > gel-type anion exchanger. The best macroporous hybrid polymer containing cupric hydroxide showed a massive reduction in cell survival at a dose of 64 mg. The antimicrobial activity was a synergetic effect of the presence of both components – cupric deposit and polymeric support – which was strongly affected by the developed porous structure of the hybrid material and the dispersed distribution of the cupric compound within the outer parts of the polymeric beads.