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Lactam nonanic acid, a new substance from Cleome viscosa with allelopathic and antimicrobial properties

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Abstract

Cleome viscosa L. (Capparidaceae) is well known for its medicinal properties. Lactam nonanoic acid (LNA) [2-amino-9-(4-oxoazetidin-2-yl)-nonanoic acid; C12H22N2O3, mol. wt. 242] has been isolated and purified from the root exudates of Cleome viscosa. The aqueous solution of this pure compound has been tested on bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) and fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger and A. tamarii). At a dosage of 500 ppm and above, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were totally inhibited while E. coli remained unaffected. On the other hand, growth of A. niger and A. tamarii was stimulated while there was no effect on A. fumigatus. This pure compound showed concentration-dependent inhibitory activity on rice, gram and mustard seeds.

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Abbreviations

LNA:

lactam nonanoic acid

RE:

root exudates

MFCV:

methanol fraction of Cleome viscosa

NA:

nutrient agar

PDA:

potato dextrose agar media

TLC:

thin-layer chromatography

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Acknowledgements

We are privileged to convey our gratitude to Prof. Sankar Pal, Indian Statistical Institute, for providing the fund and laboratory facility for this project work. We are also grateful to Prof. B Roy, Biological Sciences Division, and Prof. Monoranjan Ghose, Agricultural and Ecological Research Unit, ISI, for their encouragement. We also thank Miss Barnali Das and Mr Anadi Behara, Agricultural and Ecological Research Unit, ISI, for their valuable assistance in the laboratory and in the field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural and Ecological Research Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203, BT Road, Calcutta, 700 108, India

    Anirban Jana & Suparna Mandal Biswas

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  1. Anirban Jana
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  2. Suparna Mandal Biswas
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Correspondence to Suparna Mandal Biswas.

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Corresponding editor: Jitendra P Khurana

[Jana A and Biswas SM 2011 Lactam nonanic acid, a new substance from Cleome viscosa with allelopathic and antimicrobial properties. J. Biosci. 36 27–35] DOI 10.1007/s12038-011-9001-9

MS received 11 May 2010; accepted 19 November 2010, ePublication: 14 March 2011

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Jana, A., Biswas, S.M. Lactam nonanic acid, a new substance from Cleome viscosa with allelopathic and antimicrobial properties. J Biosci 36, 27–35 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-011-9001-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-011-9001-9

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