I have a non polar compound (curcumin analogue) that insoluble to water, but soluble in pure DMSO. So, for antibacterial test purpose, I tried to dissolve it in DMSO 100% then add with aquades until the DMSO concentration is 10%, but it still insoluble, so I add 4 drops of tween 20. Is it okay to use that method to dissolve my compound in antibacterial activity test? Or what should I do with my compound in order to dissolve it?
Thank you.
Do you need your sample suspensions exclusively in water for antibacterial test. Assuming, wt.%, a 10% DMSO soln. is moderately polar, that is the reason your sample may not have dissolved well. You can try DMSO:water( 1:1 v/v) mix for dissolution of your sample followed by sonication. Is your sample soluble in other organic solvents like acetone, ethanol, acetone etc?
You have to consider the effect of the solvent itself on the bacterial cells. They can tolerate a few % of DMSO, but too much will probably kill them. Detergent will also affect them. If they still grow, then you have to consider whether the DMSO/detergent mixture is permeabilizing the bacteria, producing an artifactually low MIC. Try the solvent alone on the cells. Also try some control antibiotics both with and without the solvent to see if it has any effect on their MICs.
Article Effect of Tween 20 on antibacterial effects of acidic, neutr...
may be useful
Upto 4% DMSO is allowable for solubilisation. Higher conc. has inhibitory effect on microbial cell. Co solvency may be recommended here for solubilization of Curcumin.
I did't try, but I know that some plant extracts can be dissolved using caprylyl/capryl glucoside (or other similar substances), a natural surfactant (used in cosmetics). If your substance is soluble only in concentrated DMSO, after dilution, the compound will be separated again.
- Badges
- Science topic