Inactivation of Gram-positive bacteria by novel phenolic branched-chain fatty acids
Open accessAbstract
Novel phenolic branched-chain fatty acids (PBC-FAs) were evaluated for their antimicrobial properties against both gram-positive ( Listeria innocua , Bacillus subtilis , Enterococcus faecium ) and gram-negative ( Escherichia coli , Salmonella Typhimurium, and Pseudomonas tolaasii ) bacteria. In addition, PBC-FA derivatives, such as PBC-FA methyl ester mixture, methyl-branched fatty acid mixtures, and trimethylsilyl-PBC-FA methyl esters, were synthesized to study the structure activity relationship. Results showed that PBC-FAs were a potent antimicrobial against gram-positive bacteria with MICs of 1.8 to 3.6 μg/ml. The compounds were less effective against gram-negative bacteria. Derivatives of PBC-FAs and an equimolar mixture of oleic acid and phenol all had MICs above 233 μg/ml against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Comparison of antimicrobial activities of the PBC-FAs with those of the derivatives suggests that the carboxylic group in the fatty acid moiety and the hydroxyl group on the phenol moiety were responsible for the antimicrobial efficacy. Growth curves of L. innocua revealed that PBC-FAs prevented bacterial growth, while MBC-FAs only delayed the onset of rapid growth of L. innocua . Our results demonstrated that the novel PBC-FAs have potential for use as antimicrobials against gram-positive bacteria.
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These and other compounds have been reported to show antimicrobial effects against bacterial pathogens and other microorganisms.
“These and other compounds have been reported to show antimicrobial effects against bacterial pathogens and other microorganisms (Fan et al., 2017;Lima et al., 2015;Effiong et al., 2010).”
From The use of High-Pressure Processing (HPP) to improve the safety and quality of raw coconut (Cocos nucifera L) water (2020) · cites this paper as Fan et al., 2017
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- Authors
- Fan, X., Wagner, K., Sokorai, K. J. B., & Ngo, H.
- Affiliations
- Agricultural Research Service (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ngo, Helen
- Venue
- Journal of Food Protection
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-01
- Volume
- 80
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 6-14
- ISSN
- 0362-028X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2567180098
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 0.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Food Protection (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Antimicrobial agents and applications
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
- Keywords
- antimicrobial activity, Gram-positive bacteria, Listeria innocua, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, structure-activity relationship, fatty acid methyl esters, trimethylsilyl derivatives, minimum inhibitory concentration, bacterial growth inhibition, food safety
- MeSH terms
- Anti-Bacterial Agents, Fatty Acids, Gram-Negative Bacteria, Gram-Positive Bacteria, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Phenols
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