Synthetic cinnamates as potential antimicrobial agents

Abstract

This study deals with synthesis of methyl cinnamate, butyl cinnamate, and p-methoxy methyl cinnamate and testing of their in vitro antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity was examined towards 29 microorganisms using microdilution method. It is shown that antimicrobial activity of methyl cinnamate and p-methoxy methyl cinnamate was better than that of butyl cinnamate. Sarcina lutea, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, B. subtilis and B. subtilis IP 5832 (probiotic) were the most sensitive bacteria. It is established that p-methoxy methyl cinnamate can be a new, potential anti-Staphylococcus aureus agent with minimum inhibitory concentration of 62.5 μg/ml. Methyl cinnamate and p-methoxy methyl cinnamate inhibited the growth of Aspergillus restrictus, A. flavus and A. fumigatus in the concentration range from 62.5 μg/ml to 250 μg/ml.