Background and Aim: Quaternary ammonium compounds can be used for growth control of fungi in hospitals and algae in swimming pools. The aim of this study was to evaluate antifungal and antialgal effect of new quaternary ammonium compounds.

Material and Methods: In this experimental study, eight tetravalent ammonium salts with different positions in R1 and R2 were synthesized. These compounds were synthesized from 4,4 – Amino methyl biphenyls compounds and were different from each other in biphenyls and amine groups. To determine their effects on molds, they were cultured in potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) medium containing nistatin on the basis of Medallion method. The diameter of inhibitory growth zones for mold in the test cultures were compared with those of the control cultures. The effect of the new compounds on algae strains Clorella vulgaris 157 was evaluated by using glucose solid medium exposed to suitable light at room temperature for 5-3 days. Zones of inhibition were detected.

 Results: Antifungal effect of compound 149 on the molds was 100%, similar to the effect of Nistatin. This effect was from 68% to 100% for compounds 188 and 178 respectively and lasted for a long time in the culture medium, even after 3 to 7 days no growth was observed. By increasing the concentration of the compounds, compound No. 188 showed a higher inhibitory growth rate for algae in comparison to compounds No. 149 and NO. 178. Three times increase in the concentrations of the compounds resulted in 2.1, 1.45 and 1.38 times increase in the diameters of the zones of inhibition for the compounds No. 188, No. 149 and NO.178 respectively.

Conclusion: Compounds used in this study had similar inhibitory effects on eukaryotic cells and their antifungal and anti-algae effects were similar. Increase in antifungal effects led to increased anti algae effect. Use of these compounds is recommended in the industry.

Keywords: Quaternary ammonium compounds, Antifungal effect, Algae.

Received: Oct 03, 2015      Accepted: Feb 14, 2016