Antimicrobial Activity of Thiobenzoate and Its O-Fluoro- and M-Fluoro-Derivatives.

Abstract

Summary Thiobenzoate and its o-fluoro-and m-fluoro-derivatives were shown to inhibit the growth of certain fungi and gram-positive bacteria at concentrations below 100 μg/ml. Gram-negative bacteria were not affected at concentrations below 1000 μg/ml. Inhibition of growth of susceptible cells was antagonized by sulfite, cysteine, cystine, thioglycollate, and glutathione; sulfate and methionine were not antagonistic. A cell-free sulfate reduction system from yeast was inhibited by each thiobenzoate. It was concluded that inhibition of the microbial sulfate reduction system may be the principal antimicrobial mechanism.