Call: 4th Polish-Taiwanese call for joint research projects
Abstract:
Surfactants, thanks to the structure of the molecule consisting of hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail, show many interesting properties. The most important characteristics are their ability to reduce surface tension as well as wetting, solubilizing, emulsifying and antimicrobial properties. Sulfobetaine surfactants are one of the groups of surfactants which may show antimicrobial effects. As a result of their specific structure, they can exhibit many desirable features at the same time and are a research material of high potential.
The cooperation between the teams of the Poznań University of Economics and Business and the National Taiwan University in Taipei, established in 2013, resulted in the publication of an article in the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents (DOI: 10.1007/s11743-016-1838-3). The results of the joint research have been noticed and served as basis for further cooperation, which is why the teams have been recommended for funding research from the National Centre for Research and Development. The objectives of the project include:
- synthesis of sulfobetaine surfactants and their spectroscopic characteristics, as well as the characteristics of surface activity;
- evaluation of antimicrobial activity, as well as the therapeutic and toxic effects of the synthesised compounds.
The obtained results will allow for a broad characterization of surface and antimicrobial activity of sulfobetaine obtained and will indicate the potential use of these compounds as substances with therapeutic effect.
