Jy. Leem et al., Isolation of p-hydroxycinnamaldehyde as an antibacterial substance from the saw fly, Acantholyda parki, S., FEBS LETTER, 442(1), 1999, pp. 53-56
We purified an antibacterial substance from larvae of the saw fly, Acanthol
yda parki S,, and identified its molecular structure as p-hydroxycinnamalde
hyde. We then synthesized it by reduction of p-hydroxycinnamic acid. The an
tibacterial activity of the synthetic p-hydroxycinnamaldehyde was equal to
that of the authentic substance. This molecule was found to have a broad an
tibacterial spectrum against not only Gram-negative, but also Gram-positive
bacteria. Furthermore, it showed antifungal activity against Candida albic
ans. We suggest that this substance may play a role in the defense system o
f this insect. This is the first report of p-hydroscinnamaldehyde of animal
origin. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.