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Biodegradability of end-groups of the biocide polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) assessed using model compounds

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Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology

Abstract

Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), a biocide used in a wide variety of disinfection and preservation applications, is a polydisperse mixture in which the end-groups may be any combination of amine, guanidine and cyanoguanidine. Using PHMB model compounds (1,6-diaminohexane; 1,6-diguanidinohexane; 1,6-di(cyanoguanidino)hexane; 4-guanidinobutyric acid), we have determined the biodegradation characteristics of each end-group in several strains of bacteria isolated for their ability to utilise PHMB as a sole source of nitrogen. Bacteria were screened for growth at the expense of each model compound (at non-inhibitory concentrations) as sole nitrogen source. None of the isolated bacteria was capable of utilising a cyanoguanidine end-group as growth substrate, whereas several bacteria were shown to utilise amine or guanidine end-groups. In particular, a strain of Pseudomonas putida was capable of extensive growth with 1,6-diguanidinohexane as a sole nitrogen source, with complete removal of guanidine groups from culture medium within 2 days, and with concomitant formation of unsubstituted urea, which in turn was also utilised by the organism. We conclude that whilst amine and guanidine end-groups in PHMB are likely to be susceptible to biodegradation, cyanoguanidine end-groups are likely to be recalcitrant.

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Acknowledgements

This work received support from Avecia Biocides (now Arch Biocides) in the form of chemicals and a studentship to LPOM.

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Author notes

  1. Leon P. O’Malley

    Present address: Arch Chemicals, PO Box 42, M9 8ZS, Blackley, Manchester, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Biomedical Sciences Building, CF10 3US, Cardiff, UK

    Leon P. O’Malley & Graham F. White

  2. Arch Chemicals, PO Box 42, M9 8ZS, Blackley, Manchester, UK

    Andrew N. Collins

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  1. Leon P. O’Malley
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  2. Andrew N. Collins
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  3. Graham F. White
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Correspondence to Leon P. O’Malley.

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O’Malley, L.P., Collins, A.N. & White, G.F. Biodegradability of end-groups of the biocide polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) assessed using model compounds. J IND MICROBIOL BIOTECHNOL 33, 677–684 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-006-0103-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-006-0103-6

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