The biocidal effect of a novel synthesized gemini surfactant on environmental sulfidogenic bacteria: Planktonic cells and biofilms

•New cationic gemini surfactant has been applied as a corrosion inhibitor and a biocide.•The surfactant prevented sulfidogenic bacterial activity in bulk phase and on the metal surface.•The surfactant prevented the biofilm formation at a low concentration.•The gemini surfactant displayed a nonspecific antibacterial activity.

A cationic gemini surfactant was synthesized and characterized. The surfactant was successfully applied as a biocide against environmental sulfidogenic bacteria in the bulk phase (planktonic) and on the surface (biofilm). The activity of the synthesized surfactant was discussed based on the redox potential and the sulfide productivity in the bulk phase. The cultivated biofilm structure analysis and corrosion rate were estimated on the metal surface. The lowest metal corrosion rate was recognized at a concentration of 1 mM with a metal corrosion inhibition efficiency of 95%. The synthesized gemini surfactant prevented the biofilm formation at a concentration of 0.1 mM. The synthesized gemini surfactant displayed a broad spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

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