Antimicrobial components of some cruciferae plants (Diplotaxis harra Forsk. and Erucaria microcarpa Boiss.).

The total herb of Diplotaxis harra Forsk. on treatment with myrosinase produces isopropyl isothiocyanate and 3- butenyl isothiocyanate in addition to (the non-volatile) 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl isothiocyanate which could be obtained as 5-vinyl-2-oxazolidinethione (goitrin) and methyl 4-isothiocyanatobutyrate (Erypestrin). On treating Erucaria microcarpa Boiss, herb with myrosinase, it produces isopropyl isothiocyanate, butyl isothiocyanate and benzyl isothiocyanate in addition to the non-volatile 8-methylsulphinyloctyl isothiocyanate (hirsutin). The plant extracts contain high percentages of arachidonic and palmitic acids, nonadecane, cholesterol, stigmasterol and B-sitosterol. The volatile constituents of D. harra and E. microcarpa showed higher activity against yeasts than Gram +ve, Gram -ve bacteria and fungi. The nonmethylated fatty acids of the two herbs showed higher activity against Gram +ve and Gram -ve bacteria than yeasts and fungi.