Chapter 5 - Quaternary ammonium compound derivatives for biomedical applications

Abstract

Contamination by microorganisms is still a challenge for the research community, especially concerning materials for biomedical use. Considering oral biofilms, bacterial colonization and settlement is one of the driving factors for carious disease. Recently prevention efforts have been aimed at the development of materials with antimicrobial activity, either by incorporating the antimicrobial agent in the matrix or by modifying material surfaces. On the first, there is high leaching of the antimicrobial followed by much lower releasing rates over time. This chapter focuses on modifications promoted on the surface by organosilane compounds, containing quaternary ammonium as the functional group. This organofunctional silane was synthesized by hydrolysis and condensation reactions and is applied to the surface of glass and resinous composites for dental application. This compound exhibited activity against Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation. The present study brought about the possibility of modifying surfaces with quaternary ammonium groups, already used for sanitizing but here assigned for biomedical materials.