Impact of fatty acid chain length of rosmarinate esters on their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus carnosus LTH1502 and Escherichia coli K-12 LTH4263

J Food Prot. 2013 Sep;76(9):1539-48. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-12-254.

Abstract

The effect of the addition of a newly synthesized series of rosmarinic acid (RA) estes (REs) and alcohols with chain lengths of 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, and 18 carbons (RE1 to 18) on the growth behavior of Staphylococcus carnosus LTH1502 and Escherichia coli K-12 LTH4263 was investigated. An initial microtiter dilution assay indicated activity of compounds against S. carnosus LTH1502, whereas esters with chain lengths, RA, n-methyl rosmarinate (RE1), n-dodecyl rosmarinate (RE12), and n-octadecyl rosmarinate (RE18) were used in a time-kill assay S. carnosus LTH1502. Compounds were added at 0.75 mM in the log phase, 5 mM in the exponential phase, 10 mM in the stationary phase. RA had no effect in the lag and exponential phase but decreased cell counts during the stationary phase. In contrast, RE1 and RE12 decreased cell number in all three phase, will RE12 reducing counts most rapidly. Addition of RE18 did not affect regardless of the growth phase. Appearance and physiological state of S. carnosus LTH1502 cells indicated difference in the way the compounds interacted with and damaged cells. Results were attributed to the different physicochemical properties of RA and its esters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Cinnamates / chemistry
  • Cinnamates / pharmacology*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Depsides / chemistry
  • Depsides / pharmacology*
  • Escherichia coli K12 / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli K12 / growth & development
  • Esters / chemistry
  • Esters / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry
  • Fatty Acids / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Rosmarinic Acid
  • Staphylococcus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus / growth & development

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Cinnamates
  • Depsides
  • Esters
  • Fatty Acids