Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy was used as the primary analysis technique to study the interfacial chemistry of surfaces relevant to chemical and biological warfare agent defense. Many strategies utilized by the military to detect and decompose chemical and biological warfare agents involve their interaction with surfaces. However, much of the chemistry that occurs at the interface between the agents and surfaces of interest remains unknown. The surface chemistry plays an important role in efficacy of both detection and decontamination technology, and by obtaining a deeper understanding of that chemistry, researchers might be able to develop more sensitive detection devices and more effective decontamination strategies. Our efforts have focused on three different areas of surface chemistry relevant to chemical and biological warfare agent defense: 1) The development of a surface synthesis strategy to create and control the structure of antibacterial self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Our work demonstrated a successful strategy for creating SAMs that contain long-chain quaternary ammonium groups, which were synthesized and subsequently characterized using RAIRS and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). 2) The determination of the surface conformation, orientation, and relative surface density of immobilized antimicrobial peptides. Our results revealed that the peptides consisted of tilted (50-60°), α-helices on the surface, regardless of solution conditions. 3) The design and construction of a new ultrahigh vacuum surface science instrument that allows for the study of gas-surface reactions with up to three gases simultaneously. 4) The study of the adsorption of chemical warfare agent simulants to silica nanoparticulate films. Our work demonstrated that the adsorbate structure was dependent on the number of hydrogen-bonding groups, and the adsorption consists of a pressure-dependent two part mechanism. The results presented here will help increase the understanding of the surface chemistry of three interfaces relevant to chemical and biological defense. Future researchers may apply the new information to develop more effective detection and decontamination strategies for chemical and biological warfare agents. / Ph. D.

Recirculating aquaculture offers a prospect for successful fish farming, but this form of aquaculture presents a great potential for pathogenic microorganisms to become established in the system through the formation of biofilms. Biofilms are capable of forming on all aquaculture system components, incorporating the various microflora present in the water. Pathogenic microorganisms released from the biofilms are capable of causing recurring exposure to disease in both fish and humans. With the increased consumption of raw and rare fish, the presence of these bacteria in or on the fish could lead to ingestion of pathogens. There is also the possibility of cross-contamination during processing. The objectives of this study were to increase the understanding of pathogen incorporation into biofilms in recirculating aquaculture systems and to determine the effectiveness of various sanitizers in eliminating biofilms. Seven freshwater and two saltwater facilities were sampled, with eight different types of materials tested. Pathogenic bacteria were identified using Bacteriological Analytical Manual methods and rapid commercial test kits. Most of the pathogenic bacteria identified were opportunistic organisms ubiquitous in an aquatic environment. The most significant human pathogens were Bacillus cereus, the Shigella species and the Vibrio species. The major piscine pathogens of concern were Photobacterium damsela, the Vibrio species, and Aeromonas hydrophila. The most significant variation in biofilm pathogens was observed between facilities and not construction material. Buna-N rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated PVC, glass, fiberglass and stainless steel disks were suspended in 79.2 liter (20 gallon) aquariums stocked with Nile tilapia (Oreochromus niloticus). The tanks were inoculated with a known amount of green fluorescent protein (GFP) modified Escherichia coli and samples were removed on days 1,3, 7 and 15. The modified E. coli were isolated on Luria Broth Agar and plate counts were performed under ultraviolet light. There was no significant difference in the growth of the surrogate pathogen on the different materials. The GFP E. coli was isolated in the largest numbers 24 hours after inoculation of the tanks, with an approximate 1-log decrease after day 1. Days 3, 7, and 15 showed equivalent growth of the target organism. Two sets of disks were suspended in another six 79.2 liter (20 gallon) aquariums. The tanks were inoculated with a known amount of the surrogate pathogen, GFP E. coli, and after 24 hours one set of disks was removed from each tank. The second set of disks was removed and treated by spraying with water, alkaline cleanser, sodium hypochlorite, quaternary ammonium compound, or peracetic acid. Ozone was bubbled directly into one tank to treat another set of disks. The modified E. coli were isolated and counted. Total aerobic plate counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts were performed. Statistical analysis indicated that the type of material had no significant affect on the effectiveness of the sanitizers. It was determined that sodium hypochlorite (99.4591 overall reduction) and peracetic acid (98.8461 % overall reduction) were the most effective sanitizers overall, and ozone (32.9332 % overall reduction) was the least effective. / Ph. D.

Quaternary ammonium lipids containing long hydrocarbon-chains can cause deleterious effects when administered to many types of microorganisms. Some compounds have potent activity against spermatozoa and the HIV virus. Consequently, quaternary ammonium lipids are key components in spermicidal and antiseptic formulations. Surface-active quaternary ammonium lipids, containing a hydrophobic and hydrophilic moiety, will aggregate into micelles when dissolved in water above a narrow concentration range, termed the critical micelle concentration (CMC). This project investigates how the CMC relates to spermicidal and microbicidal properties. The CMC’s of the AD-nX and AT-nX compounds [see documents for figures] were determined by conductivity measurements. Relationships among the CMC and factors such as alkyl-chain length, head-group size, counteranion, and biological activity are discussed. [See document for figures of ADn and ATn] / Master of Science

Compostos de amônio quaternário (QACs) têm sido amplamente utilizados como desinfetantes e antissépticos, sendo essenciais na prevenção e controle de infecções bacterianas na medicina humana e veterinária. Embora patógenos prioritários multirresistentes têm sido muito bem caracterizados quanto ao perfil de suscetibilidade e contexto genético da resistência aos antibióticos, dados de resistência aos QACs são limitados. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a atividade in vitro dos QACs de uso doméstico e hospitalar [cloreto de benzalcônio (BAC), cloreto de cetilpiridinio (CPC) e brometo de cetiltrimetilamônio (CTAB)], contra patógenos prioritários multirresistentes, identificando os principais genes de resistência associados. Foram estudadas 100 cepas multirresistentes previamente sequenciados usando as plataformas Illumina MiSeq e NextSeq representativas de diferentes hospedeiros (humanos e animais) e fontes (ambientes e alimentos). As cepas foram identificadas como Klebsiella pneumoniae (n= 24), Escherichia coli (n= 30); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n= 10), Enterobacter spp, (n= 8), Acinetobacter baumannii (n= 11) e Salmonella spp. (n= 17). Genes de resistência aos QACs foram identificados in silico através do alinhamento dos contigs obtidos de cada cepa sequenciada com genes de referência obtidos do GenBank, utilizando o programa Geneious versão 8 (Biomatters Ltd). A identidade de cada gene foi analisada utilizando o programa BLASTx, no qual um critério baseado em ≥90% identidade resultou na identificação dos genes mdfA (77%), qacE (44%), qacEΔ1 (43%), sugE(c) (29%), emrE (21%), qacA (19%), sugE(p) (5%), qacF (7%), qacH (7%) e qacL (7%) em 85 cepas; enquanto que 15 cepas não possuíam nenhum gene de resistência aos QACs. A concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) dos QACs para as 100 cepas foi determinada pelo método de microdiluição em caldo. Os resultados sugeriram que a resistência em patógenos prioritários circulando na interface humano-ambiente-animal não é restrita aos antibióticos, uma vez que a elevada ocorrência de genes qacE, qacEΔ1 e mdfA poderia estar associada com uma redução da suscetibilidade para QACs. Consequentemente, a resistência aos QACs poderia também contribuir para a persistência e adaptação destes patógenos nos seres humanos e outros animais, assim como em ambientes impactados antropogenicamente. / Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have been widely used as disinfectants and antiseptics, being applied as essential compounds in the prevention and control of bacterial infections in human-and veterinary hospital medicine. Although multiresistant priority pathogens have been well characterized with respect to their susceptibility profile and their genetic context of resistance for antibiotics, studies of resistance to QACs are limited. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of QACs [(benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)] for household and hospital use against multiresistant priority pathogens, identifying the main resistance genes associated. A hundred multiresistant isolates (previously sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq and NextSeq platforms), representative of different hosts (humans and animals) and sources (environment and food) were studied. Isolates were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=24), Escherichia coli (n=30), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=10), Enterobacter spp. (n=8), Acinetobacter baumannii (n=11) and Salmonella spp. (n=17). In silico analysis for identification of genes conferring resistance to QACs were performed by aligning the contigs obtained from the strains with reference genes deposited in GenBank, using the Geneious version program (Biomatters Ltd). Similarities were analyzed using the BLASTx online program, considering the alignment criteria based on ≥ 90% identity. The result of these analysis revealed the presence of the following QAC genes: mdfA (77%), qacE (44%), qacEΔ1 (43%), sugE(c) (29%), emrE (21%), qacA (19%), sugE (p) (5%), qacF (7%), qacH (7%) e qacL (7%); while 15 strains showed no resistance genes for QACs. Determination of QACs minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the 100 isolates, by the broth microdilution method. These results suggest that resistance to QACs in priority pathogens, circulating at the human-environment-animal interface, is not restricted to antibiotics, since the high occurrence of genes qacE, qacEΔ1 and mdfA were associated with a reduced susceptibility to QACs. Consequently, resistance to QACs could also contribute to the persistence and adaptation of these pathogens in humans and othes animals, as well as in anthropogenically impacted environments.

Engineered organoclays are 2:1 phyllosilicate soils that have been synthesized with a controlled interlayer organic phase to exhibit enhanced strength, lower compressibility, and stronger retention of organic compounds. Engineered organoclays are highly sorptive, and have a variety of potential engineering applications as sorbents or amendments in engineered earthen barrier systems. Previous studies examined the impact of the organic coating on a soil's physical properties; however, the geochemical behaviors of organoclays, especially their interaction with organic compounds at the micro-scale, remained relatively unquantified. This study investigated the engineering behavior of montmorillonite modified with a variety of quaternary ammonium cations (QAC clays) with controlled structure and density of loading. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to model the surfactant arrangement, geochemical processes in the QAC-clay interlayer, including organic compound sorption and mass transport, as well as the surface electrokinetics of suspended QAC-clay particles. All simulations were carried out based on the combined force field of ClayFF and the Consistent-Valence Force Field to ensure the accuracy of the simulation results, and results yielded insight into the prediction of synthesized QAC-clay behaviors as sorptive material for non-polar organic compounds.

Alguns Agentes Farmacêuticos (AF) sólidos podem ser otimizados através de ajustes nas propriedades físicas, permitindo maior controle na solubilidade, estabilidade, biodisponibilidade e farmacocinética. Líquidos iônicos, sais que se apresentam líquidos à temperaturas inferiores a 100º C, representam uma classe de substâncias utilizadas como possível estratégia no planejamento e otimização de fármacos, através da escolha de íons ativos biologicamente. Neste trabalho foram investigadas interações entre pares iônicos formados pelos ânions acetilsalicilato (ASP) e ibuprofenato (IBU), em combinação com os cátions biologicamente ativos, benzil-decil-dimetil-amônio (BDDA) e didecil-dimetil-amônio (DDA) com a membrana biológica formada por palmitoil-oleil-fosfatidil-colina (POPC), pelo método de Dinâmica Molecular. A partir de otimizações geométricas e distribuições de cargas, estabeleceram-se topologias para os íons, definindo-se parâmetros ausentes no campo de força AMBER. Inicialmente simularam-se os pares iônicos solvatados e também sistemas contendo líquidos iônicos puros. Essas simulações indicaram adequada distribuição de cargas para os íons e forneceram informações a respeito da estrutura do líquido, formado por pares iônicos, como densidade e distâncias entre grupos de átomos. As simulações contendo sistemas completos (íons, POPC e água) indicaram que no sistema IBUDDA o par iônico é mantido, enquanto que nos outros sistemas ocorrem maiores variações nas distâncias entre os íons. O sistema ASPDDA apresenta indícios de fuga do ânion através da bicamada. Nos sistemas ASPBDDA e IBUBDDA, apesar da variação das distâncias mínimas, os íons mantêm-se no interior da membrana no tempo simulado. Nos sistemas IBUDDA, IBUBDA e ASPBDDA o grupo carboxilato dos ânions demonstra proximidade e preferência pelo grupo colina da POPC, enquanto que o grupo contendo o nitrogênio do cátion aproxima-se preferencialmente do grupo fosfato da POPC. / Some pharmaceutical agents (AF) solids may be optimized through adjustments in physical properties, allowing greater control on the solubility, stability, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Ionic Liquids, salts which are liquids at temperatures lower than 100 ° C, represent a class of substances used as a possible strategy in the design and optimization of drugs through the choice of biologically active ions. In this study were investigated interactions between ion pairs formed by the acetylsalicylate (ASP) and ibuprofenate (IBU) anions, in combination with the biologically active cations benzalkonium (BDDA) and didecyldimethylammonium (DDA) with the biological membrane palmitoyloleylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) by molecular dynamics method. From geometric optimizations and charge distributions, have established topologies for the ions, defining missing parameters in the AMBER force field. The ion pairs were simulated under vacuum and solvated as well as systems containing pure Ionic Liquids. These simulations showed suitable charge distribution for ions and provided information about the structure of the liquid formed by ion pairs, such as density and distances between groups of atoms. The simulations containing entire systems (ions, water and POPC) indicated that in the system IBUDDA the ion pair is maintained while in other systems transients distancing occur between ions. The system containing ASPDDA indicates leakage of the anion through the bilayer. In systems ASPBDDA, IBUDDA and IBUBDDA, despite the variation of minimum distances, the ions remain within the membrane in simulated time. In IBUDDA, IBUBDDA and ASPBDDA the carboxylate group of the anions demonstrate nearness and preference for POPC choline group, whereas the group containing the nitrogen cation preferentially approximates of the POPC phosphate group.

Alguns Agentes Farmacêuticos (AF) sólidos podem ser otimizados através de ajustes nas propriedades físicas, permitindo maior controle na solubilidade, estabilidade, biodisponibilidade e farmacocinética. Líquidos iônicos, sais que se apresentam líquidos à temperaturas inferiores a 100º C, representam uma classe de substâncias utilizadas como possível estratégia no planejamento e otimização de fármacos, através da escolha de íons ativos biologicamente. Neste trabalho foram investigadas interações entre pares iônicos formados pelos ânions acetilsalicilato (ASP) e ibuprofenato (IBU), em combinação com os cátions biologicamente ativos, benzil-decil-dimetil-amônio (BDDA) e didecil-dimetil-amônio (DDA) com a membrana biológica formada por palmitoil-oleil-fosfatidil-colina (POPC), pelo método de Dinâmica Molecular. A partir de otimizações geométricas e distribuições de cargas, estabeleceram-se topologias para os íons, definindo-se parâmetros ausentes no campo de força AMBER. Inicialmente simularam-se os pares iônicos solvatados e também sistemas contendo líquidos iônicos puros. Essas simulações indicaram adequada distribuição de cargas para os íons e forneceram informações a respeito da estrutura do líquido, formado por pares iônicos, como densidade e distâncias entre grupos de átomos. As simulações contendo sistemas completos (íons, POPC e água) indicaram que no sistema IBUDDA o par iônico é mantido, enquanto que nos outros sistemas ocorrem maiores variações nas distâncias entre os íons. O sistema ASPDDA apresenta indícios de fuga do ânion através da bicamada. Nos sistemas ASPBDDA e IBUBDDA, apesar da variação das distâncias mínimas, os íons mantêm-se no interior da membrana no tempo simulado. Nos sistemas IBUDDA, IBUBDA e ASPBDDA o grupo carboxilato dos ânions demonstra proximidade e preferência pelo grupo colina da POPC, enquanto que o grupo contendo o nitrogênio do cátion aproxima-se preferencialmente do grupo fosfato da POPC. / Some pharmaceutical agents (AF) solids may be optimized through adjustments in physical properties, allowing greater control on the solubility, stability, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Ionic Liquids, salts which are liquids at temperatures lower than 100 ° C, represent a class of substances used as a possible strategy in the design and optimization of drugs through the choice of biologically active ions. In this study were investigated interactions between ion pairs formed by the acetylsalicylate (ASP) and ibuprofenate (IBU) anions, in combination with the biologically active cations benzalkonium (BDDA) and didecyldimethylammonium (DDA) with the biological membrane palmitoyloleylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) by molecular dynamics method. From geometric optimizations and charge distributions, have established topologies for the ions, defining missing parameters in the AMBER force field. The ion pairs were simulated under vacuum and solvated as well as systems containing pure Ionic Liquids. These simulations showed suitable charge distribution for ions and provided information about the structure of the liquid formed by ion pairs, such as density and distances between groups of atoms. The simulations containing entire systems (ions, water and POPC) indicated that in the system IBUDDA the ion pair is maintained while in other systems transients distancing occur between ions. The system containing ASPDDA indicates leakage of the anion through the bilayer. In systems ASPBDDA, IBUDDA and IBUBDDA, despite the variation of minimum distances, the ions remain within the membrane in simulated time. In IBUDDA, IBUBDDA and ASPBDDA the carboxylate group of the anions demonstrate nearness and preference for POPC choline group, whereas the group containing the nitrogen cation preferentially approximates of the POPC phosphate group.

Alguns Agentes Farmacêuticos (AF) sólidos podem ser otimizados através de ajustes nas propriedades físicas, permitindo maior controle na solubilidade, estabilidade, biodisponibilidade e farmacocinética. Líquidos iônicos, sais que se apresentam líquidos à temperaturas inferiores a 100º C, representam uma classe de substâncias utilizadas como possível estratégia no planejamento e otimização de fármacos, através da escolha de íons ativos biologicamente. Neste trabalho foram investigadas interações entre pares iônicos formados pelos ânions acetilsalicilato (ASP) e ibuprofenato (IBU), em combinação com os cátions biologicamente ativos, benzil-decil-dimetil-amônio (BDDA) e didecil-dimetil-amônio (DDA) com a membrana biológica formada por palmitoil-oleil-fosfatidil-colina (POPC), pelo método de Dinâmica Molecular. A partir de otimizações geométricas e distribuições de cargas, estabeleceram-se topologias para os íons, definindo-se parâmetros ausentes no campo de força AMBER. Inicialmente simularam-se os pares iônicos solvatados e também sistemas contendo líquidos iônicos puros. Essas simulações indicaram adequada distribuição de cargas para os íons e forneceram informações a respeito da estrutura do líquido, formado por pares iônicos, como densidade e distâncias entre grupos de átomos. As simulações contendo sistemas completos (íons, POPC e água) indicaram que no sistema IBUDDA o par iônico é mantido, enquanto que nos outros sistemas ocorrem maiores variações nas distâncias entre os íons. O sistema ASPDDA apresenta indícios de fuga do ânion através da bicamada. Nos sistemas ASPBDDA e IBUBDDA, apesar da variação das distâncias mínimas, os íons mantêm-se no interior da membrana no tempo simulado. Nos sistemas IBUDDA, IBUBDA e ASPBDDA o grupo carboxilato dos ânions demonstra proximidade e preferência pelo grupo colina da POPC, enquanto que o grupo contendo o nitrogênio do cátion aproxima-se preferencialmente do grupo fosfato da POPC. / Some pharmaceutical agents (AF) solids may be optimized through adjustments in physical properties, allowing greater control on the solubility, stability, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Ionic Liquids, salts which are liquids at temperatures lower than 100 ° C, represent a class of substances used as a possible strategy in the design and optimization of drugs through the choice of biologically active ions. In this study were investigated interactions between ion pairs formed by the acetylsalicylate (ASP) and ibuprofenate (IBU) anions, in combination with the biologically active cations benzalkonium (BDDA) and didecyldimethylammonium (DDA) with the biological membrane palmitoyloleylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) by molecular dynamics method. From geometric optimizations and charge distributions, have established topologies for the ions, defining missing parameters in the AMBER force field. The ion pairs were simulated under vacuum and solvated as well as systems containing pure Ionic Liquids. These simulations showed suitable charge distribution for ions and provided information about the structure of the liquid formed by ion pairs, such as density and distances between groups of atoms. The simulations containing entire systems (ions, water and POPC) indicated that in the system IBUDDA the ion pair is maintained while in other systems transients distancing occur between ions. The system containing ASPDDA indicates leakage of the anion through the bilayer. In systems ASPBDDA, IBUDDA and IBUBDDA, despite the variation of minimum distances, the ions remain within the membrane in simulated time. In IBUDDA, IBUBDDA and ASPBDDA the carboxylate group of the anions demonstrate nearness and preference for POPC choline group, whereas the group containing the nitrogen cation preferentially approximates of the POPC phosphate group.

Submitted by Ubirajara Cruz (ubirajara.cruz@gmail.com) on 2016-09-23T14:52:44Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) dissertacao_francine_souza.pdf: 890441 bytes, checksum: 8e77c3780d75f3009137594794500fc2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-09-23T18:43:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) dissertacao_francine_souza.pdf: 890441 bytes, checksum: 8e77c3780d75f3009137594794500fc2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-23T18:43:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) dissertacao_francine_souza.pdf: 890441 bytes, checksum: 8e77c3780d75f3009137594794500fc2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / O uso de produtos naturais com fins medicinais, para tratamento, cura e prevenção de doenças é uma das formas mais antigas de prática medicinal da humanidade. A própolis é uma substância resinosa natural, produzida por abelhas melíferas a partir de exsudatos coletados em diferentes partes das plantas, que vem sendo utilizada desde a antiguidade na medicina popular, tanto humana quanto veterinária, devido as suas propriedades terapêuticas. A atividade antimicrobiana é relatada em diversos estudos que utilizam como modelo experimental diferentes gêneros de vírus, bactérias, fungos e parasitas, porém são raros os estudos utilizando-a como desinfetante. Avaliou-se um extrato etanólico de própolis verde (EEPV), em comparação com um desinfetante comercial à base de amônia quaternária, quanto à capacidade desinfetante in situ em bebedouros utilizados para frangos de corte até 28 dias de idade das aves. O EEPV também foi avaliado, in vitro, contra as bactérias isoladas a partir de suabes dos bebedouros utilizados no experimento. Aos 28 dias de idade dos frangos, quando o desafio microbiano foi maior, a ação do EEPV como desinfetante foi semelhante à ação do desinfetante comercial a base de amônia quaternária. Nesta mesma idade das aves, o EEPV, assim como o desinfetante comercial, inibiu por completo o crescimento fúngico nos bebedouros. O EEPV apresentou ação in vitro contra as bactérias gram positivas Staphylococcus sp. coagulase negativa, S. aureus, Corynebacterium sp., isoladas a partir de suabe coletado dos bebedouros, além da bactéria gram negativa Escherichia coli. / The use of natural products for medicinal purposes for treatment, cure and prevention of diseases is one of the most antique forms of medical practice of humanity. Propolis is a natural resinous substance produced by honeybees from exudates collected of different parts of the plant and has been used as a therapeutic compound since antiquity in the popular medicine both human and veterinary due to its therapeutics properties. The antimicrobial activity is mentioned in various studies applying different genus of viruses, fungus, bacterias and parasites as a experimental model. An ethanolic extract from green propolis was evaluated as to the sanitizer capacity in situ over drinking fountains used for broilers in comparison with a commercial disinfectant based on quaternary ammonia. The extract was also evaluated in vitro against bacterias isolated from the drinking fountains used in the experiment. At 28 days of broiler age when the microbial challenge was greater the action of the extract as a disinfectant was similar to the action of the commercial disinfectant based on quaternary ammonium. In the same age of the birds both the propolis extract as well as the commercial disinfectant the fungal growth was completely inhibited in the drinking fountains. The extract presented action in vitro against gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus sp. negative coagulase, S. aureus, Corynebacterium sp. isolated from swabs collected from the drinking fountains and also the gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli.

Leather wastewater is one of the most polluting industrial emissions. An in-situ, green, and innovative strategy that limits dye emissions is required to replace subsequent waste management. A novel cationic protein with a high quaternary ammonium degree was designed and synthesized. The results show that at concentrations ranging from 3 to 15 wt%, this cationic protein rapidly and completely adsorbs Direct Purple N and Acid Black 24 within 5 min. A remarkable efficiency in removing Acid Red 73, Acid Golden G, Acid Lake Blue A, Acid Green, and Acid Orange II, with >96% removal rates, was achieved. The cationic protein was most accurately represented by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Acid Orange II (2000 mg L-1) and 15 wt% cationic protein were used in an actual tanning process. The residual concentration of Acid Orange II in the wastewater was 23.1 mg L-1. These results reflect that the emission reduction targets have been effectively achieved.