Anti-microbial Variants of PAGA

Many of the PAGA derivatives have been demonstrated to be antimicrobial. These variants have differing modes of action from broad spectrum antimicrobials (hydrogen PAGA) to more ion specific antimicrobials (copper PAGA). These PAGA forms have been tested for and comply with the US pharmacopoeia definition of antimicrobials.

A study determining the effects PAGA derivatives on the total number of living aerobes (bacteria and fungi) by the counting method on solid media as described by the US pharmacopoeia was undertaken. Four typical topical wound strains of microorganisms were tested including Staphyloccus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (bacteria), Candida albicans (yeast) and Aspergillus niger (fungus).

Three of the PAGA salts (copper, zinc and hydrogen) meet the US and European Pharmacopoeia criteria for the definition of an antimicrobial.

PAGA as an antimicrobial presents many new opportunities for the woundcare industry. As well as ‘stops bleeding’ products these derivatives of PAGA can be used as antimicrobials and as such will further assist the wound healing process.