4-HYDROXY-3-NITROPHENYLACETIC AND SINAPIC ACIDS AS ANTIBACTERIAL COMPOUNDS FROM MUSTARD SEEDS

A methanol extract from yellow mustard seeds had antibacterial activit y against Escherichia coil, Salmonella enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Two compounds with such activity were isolated from the extra ct. By instrumental analysis, the compounds were identified as 4-hydro xy-3-nitrophenylacetic and sinapic acids. Examination of the structure -activity relationship showed that the hydroxyl and nitro groups of th e first compound were involved in the activity against all three speci es. The two methoxyl groups and the hydroxyl group in sinapic acid wer e effective against E. coli and all of the substituents of the benzene ring were effective against S. enteritidis. The presence of the prope noic group of the second compound was effective against S. aureus.