Background:
Benzimidazole derivatives are an important class of heterocyclic compounds in organic
chemistry since are related to a wide range of biological properties including antimicrobial activity.
Methods:
A series of 1-naphthoyl and benzoyl benzimidazole derivatives were synthesised, identified and screened
for their antimicrobial activities against a number of different test organisms such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas
aureginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella
typhimurium, Candida albicans (yeast).
Results:
Benzimidazole derivatives (3a-d) were synthesised by using 4 different aminoacids. L-methionine, Lisoleucine, D-Phenylysine and L-Phenylamine as starting materials in the study. Experimental studies involve the use
of benzimidazole derivatives (3a-d) of the selected amino acids to synthesize the benzoyl and naphthoyl derivatives of
benzimidazole (4a-d, 5a-c). The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic analyses
(FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR) and elemental analysis.
Conclusion:
In this study, only one compound (5a) showed a low MIC value against the eukaryotic microorganism C.
albicans. The other six compounds showed higher antimicrobial activities against the prokaryotes C. albicans which is
a normal flora in the mouth but is one of the organisms that cause infections leading to the weakening of the human
immune system. Compound 5a is a candidate for future alternative antimicrobial drugs against C. albicans infections.
In addition, compound 5a has potentials to be used as an inhibitor against P. aureginosa for the treatment of cystic
fibrosis.