A New Type of Antimicrobial Phenolics Produced by Plant Peroxidase and Its Possible Role in the Chemical Defense Systems against Plant Pathogens

Abstract

Syringaldehyde readily reacted in the horse-radish peroxidase (HRPOD) system. The ethyl acetate extract of the reaction mixture showed a marked antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. After repeated column chromatography three potential antimicrobial compounds were obtained from the extract. The structural elucidation of active compounds was achieved by a combination of spectroscopic techniques and chemical modification.