Monoglyceride to protect building materials against microbial proliferation

Use of bio-based products from the recycling of glycerol, a valuable by-product of agro-industry as antimicrobial coatings may be an eco-friendly alternative to the classic ways of protecting building materials against microbial proliferation such as metal-based treatments, biocides, etc. Monoglycerides (MG) can be synthetized starting from oleochemical synthons such as glycerol and fatty acids. Numerous studies have shown the antimicrobial efficiency of fatty acids and esters against various microorganisms. This paper focuses on evaluating the antimicrobial potential of a specific MG molecule with the aim of incorporating it in a semi-transparent aqueous coating intended for building materials. Three types of experiments were carried out: (i) evaluation of bactericidal activity in liquid phase, (ii) evaluation of antibacterial activity according to JIS Z 2801, and (iii) evaluation of the resistance of coated building materials to natural microbial contamination. Results showed that the MG molecule tested possessed strong antibacterial properties. These promising results highlight potential of such molecules in the protection of building materials and encourage further studies.