Effect of linker structure on salicylate-based poly(anhydride-ester) precursor physicochemical properties and biofilm inhibition

POLY 81

Brittany M. deRonde, bderonde@eden.rutgers.edu1, Ashley L. Carbone, acarbon@rci.rutgers.edu1, and Kathryn E. Uhrich, keuhrich@rutgers.edu2. (1) Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, (2) Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8087
Salicylate-based poly(anhydride-esters) are a distinct classes of polymers synthesized in our laboratory. Previous studies indicated that these polymers inhibit biofilm formation on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. To verify the mechanism for biofilm prevention, poly(anhydride-esters) and their degradation products will be tested against strains of microorganisms, such as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, which are known to form biofilms. In this preliminary study, a series of salicylate-based polymer precursors were synthesized using linker molecules of varying structures and physiochemical properties evaluated. Polymer precursors were characterized by 1H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy for composition, differential scanning calorimetry for melting points, and qualitative solubility. Hydrophobicity of linker molecules is known to affect the degradation rates of poly(anhydride-esters) and may also alter the polymers and their degradation products abilities to inhibit biofilm formation.
 

Undergraduate Research in Polymer Science
1:30 PM-4:50 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Grand Salon 16, Oral

Division of Polymer Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008