Abstract

In order to develop alcohol free antimicrobial agents withresidual activity for hand cleaning, this in vitro study evaluates the action of 5-pyrrolidone-2-carbxylic acid (PCA) and copper sulphate pentahydrate (CS) and their synergy. PCA, CS and PCA + CS were tested against Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) that are the most common pathogens of skin. PCA and CS have a moderate antimicrobial effect, since the MinimalInhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimal BactericidalConcentration (MBC) of PCA is 3.125 mg/mL against SE to 6.250 mg/mLagainst SA in all of experiments while MIC and MBC of CS against SAand SE is 6.250 mg/mL. The MIC and the MBC of PCA + SC are significantly lower: The MIC and the MBC against SA in all experiments is 0.781 mg/mL PCA + 0.781 mg/mL CS and the same MIC and MBC areobserved against SE. Results highlight effectiveness and antimicrobial synergy between PCA and CS at low and safe concentrations.