Antimicrobial Activities of 1,4-Benzoquinones and Wheat Germ Extract

Abstract

We evaluated the antibacterial activities of selected edible Korean plant seeds against the food-borne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus KCTC1927, Escherichia coli KCTC2593, Salmonella typhimurium KCTC2054, and Bacillus cereus KCTC1014. While screening for antibacterial agents, we discovered that wheat germ extract contains 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ) and is highly inhibitory to S. aureus and B. cereus. This is the first report of the antibacterial activity of wheat germ extract. We also investigated the antibacterial activities of the 1,4benzoquinone standards 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), hydroquinone (HQ), methoxybenzoquinone (MBQ), and 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ). DMBQ and BQ were the most highly inhibitory to S. aureus and S. typhimurium, followed by MBQ and HQ. MICs for DMBQ and BQ ranged between 8 and 64 µg/ml against the four foodborne pathogens tested. DMBQ and BQ showed significant antibacterial activity; the most sensitive organism was S. aureus with an MIC of 8 µg/ml. BQ exhibited good activity against S. typhimurium (32 µg/ml) and B. cereus (32 µg/ml). The results suggest that wheat germ extract has potential for the development of natural antimicrobials and food preservatives for controlling foodborne pathogens.

Millipedes vs. pathogens: Defensive secretions of some julids (Diplopoda: Julida) as potential antimicrobial agents

“…This was also corroborated by Koyama () and Kim et al. (). Dimethoxy derivatives of p ‐benzoquinone were found in defensive secretions of the analysed species in very small quantities or in traces, but we are of the opinion that even in such proportions, these compounds (themselves or in concert with other quinonic compounds) are sufficient to protect millipedes against pathogens.…”

Study of all stages of the Diels–Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with 2,3‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone and monoadducts: Kinetics, thermochemistry, and high pressure effect

“…Quinone derivatives are widespread in nature and attract increased attention due to the peculiarity of their chemical behavior and their prospects of pharmacological use. Chemical compounds with 1,4‐benzoquinone moiety exhibit prominent anticancer, 1–4 anti‐inflammatory, 5 and antimicrobial activity 6 . 2,3‐Substituted benzoquinones have two different reaction centers, therefore, we should expect the differences in the regio‐ and stereoselectivity of the Diels–Alder reaction 7,8 .…”

Antibacterial Total Phenolic Compounds from a Brown Alga Hizikia Fusiformis

“…Natural bioactive compounds were found in various plants, including aquatic plants [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Marine macroalgae are gaining interest as a potential source of bioactive substances.…”