| Polyaminopropyl biguanide | |
|---|---|
|
Other names
Polyamine-propyl-biguanidine |
|
| Identifiers | |
| Abbreviations | PAPB |
| CAS number | 133029-32-0 |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | (C5H14N6)n |
| (verify) (what is: /?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
|
| Infobox references | |
Polyaminopropyl biguanide (PAPB) is a disinfectant and a preservative used for disinfection on skin and in cleaning solutions for contact lenses. It is also an ingredient in many deodorant bodysprays. It is a polymer or oligomer where biguanide functional groups are connected by hexyl hydrocarbon chains, with varying chain lengths. PAPB is specifically bactericidal at very low concentrations (10 mg/l) and is also fungicidal.
Contents |
It has a unique method of action: the polymer strands are incorporated into the bacterial cell membrane, which disrupts the membrane and reduces its permeability, which has a lethal effect to bacteria. It is also known to bind to bacterial DNA, alter its transcription, and cause lethal DNA damage.[1] It has very low toxicity to higher organisms such as human cells, which have more complex and protective membranes. PAPB is a mixture of molecules of various sizes; different-sized molecules have a synergistic effect.
PAPB solutions are sold for use as a general disinfectant solution to be applied onto skin. As it is not cytotoxic, it can be applied directly into wounds.[2] It is also not irritating like more traditional disinfectants such as alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol) and oxidizers (iodine).
A contact lens solution containing polyaminopropyl biguanide in combination with a borate buffer has been patented.[3] The solution is disinfecting and preservative and has a broad spectrum of bactericidal and fungicidal activity at low concentrations coupled with very low toxicity when used with soft-type contact lenses.[4]
Purista is a PHMB-based preparation which is added to socks to slow the development of body odor. By adding microbicides to textiles in such a manner that they are slowly released to the local environment, bacteria and fungi sensitive to the microbicide can be killed in proximity to the textiles; this may slow down processes that depend on the microorganisms, such as the development of body odor.