Phytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of catechin derivatives.
J Agric Food Chem
; 52(5): 1077-82, 2004 Mar 10.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14995101
(+/-)-Catechin is a potent phytotoxin, with the phytotoxicity due entirely to the (-)-catechin enantiomer. (+)-Catechin, but not the (-)-enantiomer, has antibacterial and antifungal activities. Tetramethoxy, pentaacetoxy, and cyclic derivatives of (+/-)-catechin retained phytotoxicity. The results indicate that antioxidant properties of catechins are not a determining factor for phytotoxicity. A similar conclusion was reached for the antimicrobial properties. Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed) exudes (+/-)-catechin from its roots, but the flavanol is not re-absorbed and hence the weed is not affected. The much less polar tetramethoxy derivative may, however, be absorbed and hence be able to cause toxicity. Because of the combination of phytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity, (+/-)-catechin could be a useful natural herbicide and antimicrobial.
Search on Google
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Catechin
/
Herbicides
/
Anti-Bacterial Agents
/
Antifungal Agents
Language:
En
Journal:
J Agric Food Chem
Year:
2004
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Country of publication:
United States