The antimicrobial activity of two new series of bis-piperidinium compounds with alkyl chains of different lengths against bacterial (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and fungal strains (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Rhodolorula rubera, Lipomyces lopofera and Candida albicans), are described. Antimicrobial activities of the synthesized compounds were compared to that of dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride. Bis-piperidinium salts possessing 12-16 carbon side chains showed better antimicrobial properties as compared to the standard dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride.
Keywords: antimicrobial activity; bis-piperidinium; piperidinium; quaternary ammonium.