Assessment of antimicrobial activity of hydrophilic betaines in osmotically stressed bacteria

• Published in: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek Vol. 83; no. 2; pp. 175 - 181
• Main Authors: PEDDIE, Barbara A, WOOD, Jacqueline E, LEVER, Michael, HAPPER, D. Alan R, DE ZWART, Frederick, CHAMBERS, Stephen T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.01.2003; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alkaloids - chemistry; Alkaloids - metabolism; Alkaloids - pharmacology; Animals; Antimicrobial agents; Bacteria; Bacteriology; Betaine - chemical synthesis; Betaine - chemistry; Betaine - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Line; Dogs; E coli; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Escherichia coli - growth & development; Escherichia coli - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Microbial Sensitivity Tests - methods; Microbiology; Miscellaneous; Osmolar Concentration; Osmotic Pressure; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus - growth & development; Staphylococcus aureus - physiology; Urea; Trigonelline; Betaine; Bacteria; Heterocyclic betaines; 4-Methylthiazolium betaine; Antimicrobial agent; Stress
• ISSN: 0003-6072; 1572-9699
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1023305326164

A series of hydrophilic aromatic and semi-aromatic betaines related to trigonelline was synthesized and tested for antimicrobial activity. 4-Methylthiazolium betaine was the only one that showed significant antibacterial activity towards Escherichia coli under hyperosmotic conditions. None of the tested betaines showed any evidence of osmoprotection or urea protection.