Antimicrobial properties of 11-cyclohexylundecanoic acid

Abstract

The fact that milk fat contains many minor fatty acids is mostly neglected. It is known that 11-cyclohexylundecanoic acid is contained in cow’s milk fat in the amount of 0.1–0.2%. It is also contained in human milk. 11-Cyclohexylundecanoic acid was synthesised, purified to 99.5% (GC) and its antimicrobial properties were investigated. It was found that 11-cyclohexylundecanoic acid has inhibitory effects on <i>Bacillus cereus</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Fusarium culmorum</i> from the concentration of 0.05 mmol/l, however, no antimicrobial effect on Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been determined. 11-Cyclohexylundecanoic acid was found also in goat and cow milk fat on the level of 0.1–0.2%. It is convenient to hydrogenate the sample of fat before the determination of 11-cyclohexylundecanoic acid by GC method. Keywords: