Enhanced activity of fluorinated quaternary ammonium surfactants against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A novel series of fluorinated quaternary bisammonium surfactants has been synthesized in view to optimize their antimicrobial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As compared with commercial references, most of the new surfactants synthesized exhibit an enhanced activity which is discussed as a function of the nature of the spacer group between the quaternized nitrogen atoms and of the nature of the connector function between the nitrogen atoms and the perfluorinated carbon chains. It appears that the fluorinated "Gemini" surfactants bearing an amide connector can be an interesting alternative to hydrocarbon ammonium salts as preservatives and disinfectants against P. aeruginosa.