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Cotton xanthate, which was obtained by treating cotton with carbon disulfide in alkaline solution, was treated with the solution of polyvalent metal ions to produce cotton xanthate-metal chelates. This chelation reaction was readily and simply achieved, and antimicrobial agents with suitable structures could subsequently be coupled to the chelate with ease at moderate pH values and in aqueous solution. Metal ions used in present work include Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III). Tetracycline, streptomycin, neomycin and pyrithion were used as antimicrobial/antifungal agents. Antibacterial activities were measured employing ditch plate method against G(+) Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, and G(-) Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and the fungus, Aspergillus niger. All the cotton xanthate-metal-antimicrobial agent chelates exhibited activities whereas the cotton xanthate-metal chelates themselves were inactive. Considering the extensive washing procedures and results from control experiments, possibility of the involvement of physical adsorption for the binding of drugs could be excluded.
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