Open AccessInhibition of Clostridium botulinum by p -Hydroxybenzoic Acid n -Alkyl Esters
Author(s) -
M. Dymicky,
C. N. Huhtanen
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.15.6.798
Subject(s) - chemistry , dissociation constant , clostridium botulinum , alkyl , clostridium , stereochemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , bacteria , toxin , biology , receptor , genetics
Twelve straight-chain esters, C5 to C14 , C16 , and C18 , ofp -hydroxybenzoic acid were prepared, and their melting points, solubilities in water at 25°C, infrared spectra, dissociation constants (pKa ), and activities againstClostridium botulinum were determined. These studies also included four commercial straight-chain esters, C1 to C4 . The most potent activity was exhibited by undecyl and dodecyl esters, which are about 300 times as active as sodium nitrite. Quadratic and cubic equations were developed correlating the activity withpKa values and chain length of the esters, respectively.