Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum 62A by fumarates and maleates and relationship of activity to some physicochemical constants.

A series of n-monoalkyl maleates and n-mono-, di-, and methyl n-alkyl fumarates were prepared, 18 esters of each, with R = CH3 to C18H37. Their activity against Clostridium botulinum was determined in culture medium. The n-monoalkyl maleates and fumarates possessed significant activity, particularly those esterified with higher C13 to C18 alcohols.

Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum 62A by Saturated n-Aliphatic Acids, n-Alkyl Formates, Acetates, Propionates and Butyrates.

Saturated aliphatic acids (C to C) and n-alkyl formate, acetate, propionate and butyrate esters (C to C) were evaluated to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) necessary to inhibit the growth of Clostridium botulinum 62A in a bacteriological medium. The C to C and C to C acids and esters were relatively inactive (MIC > 200 μg/ml). The C to C acids exhibited some antibotulinal acitivity (MIC = 100 μg/ml), whereas C to C esters were substantially more inhibitory.

Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum by p-hydroxybenzoic acid n-alkyl esters.

Twelve straight-chain esters, C(5) to C(14), C(16), and C(18), of p-hydroxybenzoic acid were prepared, and their melting points, solubilities in water at 25 degrees C, infrared spectra, dissociation constants (pK(a)), and activities against Clostridium botulinum were determined. These studies also included four commercial straight-chain esters, C(1) to C(4). The most potent activity was exhibited by undecyl and dodecyl esters, which are about 300 times as active as sodium nitrite.

Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum by 5-nitrothiazoles.

A number of 5-nitrothiazoles with various substituents in the 2-position were tested for inhibition of Clostridium botulinum in a culture medium. Thiazole itself or 2-bromo- or 2-methylthiazole at 30 mug/ml did not inhibit the organism. An amino group in the 2-position of thiazole inhibited at 10 mug/ml.