Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.80, No.5, 728-736, 2001
Antifungal effect of carbendazim supported on poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) and epoxy resin
Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH) were prepared by the conventional saponification of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) using a solution of potassium hydroxide in ethanol. An organic fungicide, consisting of a 2-benzimidazole carbamoyl (CBZ) group supported on EVOH (EVOH-CBZ), was prepared by the transesterification reaction of methyl 2-benzimidazole cabamate (carbendazim) with EVOH. The antifungal activity of the synthesized polymers was examined by the halo zone test against Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium pinophilum. The synthesized EVOH-CBZ complex showed a strong antifungal activity. The bound CBZ units were susceptible to hydrolysis. CBZ bonded to an epoxy resin precursor, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA-CBZ), retained its antifungal activity, which was somewhat weaker in comparison with that of EVOH-CBZ. When the DGEBA-CBZ complex was crosslinked by isophoronediamine, the antifungal activity disappeared almost completely, indicating that it is necessary for the CBZ units to release from their polymer supports to have the antifungal effects.