The pathogenicity of bacteria is becoming increasingly difficult to treat because antibiotics cannot penetrate bacterial biofilms, an extracellular polymeric substance that serves as a self-defense mechanism. New ionic liquids (ILs), which are organic salts that are liquid at room temperature, are showing promising results in the disturbance of biofilms and ensuing neutralization of the bacteria. The ILs introduce numerous intermolecular interactions that likely fluidize both the biofilm and the bacterial membrane, and in some cases will defeat &gt;99.999% of bacteria in biofilm with a brief two hour exposure. The ILs also allow for the delivery of antimicrobials to bacteria embedded in biofilms and have the potential to treat difficult sub-dermal infections. The transdermal permeation ability has been determined for several ILs. To be used in clinical settings, the ILs must also be non-toxic to humans and have appreciable stability for storage and use over long timeframes. ILs have been synthesized using biocompatible cation and anion components. Additionally, natural compounds have been introduced to the ILs in minimal quantities to extend their stability, with the aim to improve shelf-life of the materials and minimize decomposition into potentially toxic byproducts. With improved effectiveness against biofilm-protected bacteria and decreased human toxicity, the ILs represent a new class of materials that could be used for broadspectrum treatment of bacterial infections.

Ionic liquids as antimicrobial materials

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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