Preparation of some fatty glycolic acid derivatives and screening for antimicrobial activity

Abstract

AbstractNine glycolic acid derivatives were prepared and screened as primary plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and for antimicrobial activity. Two types of compounds were represented: (a) those with a methyl or ethyl ester grouping at the carboxyl function of glycolic acid and a fatty acyl group at the hydroxyl function; and (b) those with three acyl groups attached at the hydroxyl functions of the amide, resulting from the reaction of glycolic acid and diethanolamine. None of the compounds was compatible with PVC at the 35% level of incorporation, and the compounds were not further evaluated as plasticizers. They were screened for antimicrobial activity against a gram‐positive bacterium,Staphylococcus aureus; a gram‐negative bacterium,Escherichia coli; a yeast,Candida utilis; and a mold,Penicillium sp. Six of the compounds inhibited two or more of the test organisms suggesting some of these materials merit further testing as biostatic agents.