Research Project: Use of Amylose Inclusion Complexes to Reduce Possibility for Microbial Infections and Increase the Lifetime of Wood and Concrete Facilities (PPL)

Location: Plant Polymer Research

Project Number: 5010-41000-180-004-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement

Start Date: Jan 30, 2023
End Date: Sep 30, 2023

Objective:
Determine if amylose inclusion complex using fatty ammonium salts (such as N-1-hexadecylammonium chloride) can provide sufficient efficacy to reduce growth of microbes that may be a source of human infection and to increase the lifetime of wood structures.

Approach:
Amylose inclusion complexes will be generated using ARS published methods. A water solution of N-1-hexadecylammonium chloride amylose inclusion complex (HexAM), or of a polymer blend using HexAM, will be applied to the surface of interest. After drying, tests will be conducted to determine if the properties of the article have changed after application. In addition, value in use will be determined by application of microbes of interest to the treated surface and control surfaces. Activity will be determined by growth of bacteria on or around the wood sample.