Fettsäurehaltige basische Peptide mit antibakterieller Wirkung

The synthesis of a new class of surface active agents consisting of basic peptides containing on one amino group a large aliphatic acyl residue is outlined. There are some definite relations between constitution and antibacterial properties. The structural conditions for maximum activity are: 1 The peptide has to consist of strongly basic amino‐acids. Lysine as an inexpensive constituent seems to be the material of choice. 2 Lengthening of the peptide chain in the oligo series is associated with increasing activity, but lysine dipeptides show optimal properties. 3 The aliphatic fatty acid residue has to contain preferably 14‐18 carbon atoms, palmitic acid representing the optimum. I t should be attached to the Na‐amino group. 4 The carboxyl end has to be protected, e. g. by an ester or amide function, in order to avoid a decrease in basicity. 5 Lower units such as acylated basic amino‐acids exhibit lower activity, especially against G RAM ‐negative pathogens.