Synthesis and Antibacterial Evaluation of Azo Dyes: An Interdisciplinary Laboratory Experiment Bridging Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Azo compounds, which are widely used as synthetic organic dyes in the textile, food, and cosmetics industries, have also exhibited antibacterial and fungicidal properties, highlighting their potential as antimicrobial drugs. An innovative educational approach was developed to explore the bioactivity of azo dyes for undergraduate chemistry laboratories, offering students an interdisciplinary experiment that integrates organic chemistry with biological applications. The laboratory experiment involved skills and concepts from general biology, microbiology, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. The experiment was implemented in the Biochemistry laboratory and the nonmajor Organic Chemistry II laboratory. In the first laboratory period, students synthesized azo dyes. In the second period, students characterized the compounds based on their physical properties and UV–vis, 1 H NMR, and IR spectroscopy. In the third period, they determined the azo dyes’ minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against two microorganisms. The student’s learning experience was assessed through a pre- and post-test, a student perceptions questionnaire, and a postlaboratory assignment. The pre- and post-test showed an increase in the scores obtained by the students, indicating a positive impact on their knowledge following the completion of the experiment, as evidenced by the t test results. Interestingly, 69% of students had not experimented with synthesis of azo dyes prior to this experiment. Developing this type of practical experience at the undergraduate level is essential, as it allows students to apply and integrate the theoretical and practical techniques learned in courses such as biology and chemistry, thereby expanding their knowledge in organic chemistry and biochemistry laboratories. Furthermore, by studying biological activities, the students gained valuable experience that will allow them to design the synthesis of a biologically active drug.