Polyaminopropyl biguanide

Polyaminopropyl biguanide
Other names Polyamine-propyl-biguanidine
Identifiers
Abbreviations	PAPB
CAS number	133029-32-0 N
	Properties
Molecular formula	(C5H14N6)n
N (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 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.^{[citation needed]} It is also an ingredient in many deodorant bodysprays.^{[citation needed]} It is a polymer or oligomer where biguanide functional groups are connected by hexyl hydrocarbon chains, with varying chain lengths.^{[citation needed]} PAPB is specifically bactericidal at very low concentrations (10 mg/l) and is also fungicidal.^{[citation needed]}

Biocidal activity

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.^{[citation needed]} PAPB is a mixture of molecules of various sizes; different-size molecules have a synergistic effect.^{[citation needed]}

Disinfectant

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).

Contact lens solution

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]

Clothing treatment

Purista is a PHMB-based preparation that is added to socks to slow the development of body odor.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Antibiotic Resistance
• Polyhexanide, a related biguanide disinfectant

References