GS-2: A Novel Broad-Spectrum Agent for Environmental Microbial Control
Alyce J. Mayfosh,
Zoe I. Day,
Nathan B. Unsworth,
Chun-Qiang Liu,
Ruchi Gupta,
Soraya Haynes,
Rebecca Abraham,
Sam Abraham,
Zo L. Shaw,
Sumeet Walia,
Aaron Elbourne,
Mark D. Hulett,
Thomas F. Rau
Affiliations
Alyce J. Mayfosh
Ten Carbon Chemistry, PO Box 4317, Hawker, ACT 2614, Australia
Zoe I. Day
Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Plenty Rd, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
Nathan B. Unsworth
Defence Science and Technology Group, 506 Lorimer Street, Fishermans Bend, VIC 3207, Australia
Chun-Qiang Liu
Defence Science and Technology Group, 506 Lorimer Street, Fishermans Bend, VIC 3207, Australia
Ruchi Gupta
Defence Science and Technology Group, 506 Lorimer Street, Fishermans Bend, VIC 3207, Australia
Soraya Haynes
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Rebecca Abraham
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Sam Abraham
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Zo L. Shaw
School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Sumeet Walia
School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Aaron Elbourne
School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Mark D. Hulett
Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Plenty Rd, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
Thomas F. Rau
Ten Carbon Chemistry, PO Box 4317, Hawker, ACT 2614, Australia
The environmental control of microbial pathogens currently relies on compounds that do not exert long-lasting activity on surfaces, are impaired by soil, and contribute to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. This study presents the scientific development and characterization of GS-2, a novel, water-soluble ammonium carboxylate salt of capric acid and L-arginine that demonstrates activity against a range of bacteria (particularly Gram-negative bacteria), fungi, and viruses. In real-world surface testing, GS-2 was more effective than a benzalkonium chloride disinfectant at reducing the bacterial load on common touch-point surfaces in a high-traffic building (average 1.6 vs. 32.6 CFUs recovered from surfaces 90 min after application, respectively). Toxicology testing in rats confirmed GS-2 ingredients were rapidly cleared and posed no toxicities to humans or animals. To enhance the time-kill against Gram-positive bacteria, GS-2 was compounded at a specific ratio with a naturally occurring monoterpenoid, thymol, to produce a water-based antimicrobial solution. This GS-2 with thymol formulation could generate a bactericidal effect after five minutes of exposure and a viricidal effect after 10 min of exposure. Further testing of the GS-2 and thymol combination on glass slides demonstrated that the compound retained bactericidal activity for up to 60 days. Based on these results, GS-2 and GS-2 with thymol represent a novel antimicrobial solution that may have significant utility in the long-term reduction of environmental microbial pathogens in a variety of settings.
