title: Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum 62A by fumarates and maleates and relationship of activity to some physicochemical constants.
abstract: 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. Somewhat lower activity was exhibited by methyl n-alkyl fumarates, while symmetrical esters, di-n-alkyl fumarates, were almost inactive. An attempt was made to correlate the activity of n-monoalkyl maleates and fumarates with chain length, solubility in water, apparent dissociation constant (pKa'), and infrared and UV absorption frequencies. The active esters may have potential as preservatives in foods.
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003014:Clostridium botulinum / Q000187:drug effects*; D005519:Food Preservation; D005650:Fumarates / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008298:Maleates / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012995:Solubility; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D013500:Surface Tension
chemical_list: D005650:Fumarates; D008298:Maleates