Effect of the surface activity on the antibacterial activity of octadecanoyl acetal sodium sulfite series

The relationship between the surface activities and their antibacterial activities of synthesized octadecanoyl acetal sodium sulfite series containing different numbers of double bonds (HOU-C18:n) was studied. The results showed that with an increasing number of double bonds in HOU-C18:n, the hydrophobic activity and adsorbed amount on the surface would be decreased, while the antibacterial activity of HOU-C18:n and the membrane permeability of bacteria caused by HOU-C18:n would be increased. It was discussed that HOU-C18:0 exerted the bacteriostasis by hydrophobic adsorption and free diffusion through the membrane of bacteria, and unsaturated HOU-C18:n exerted the bacteriostasis mainly by double bonds and destructing the membrane.