Antimicrobial activity of methyl esters and nitriles of 2-cyano-3-(5'-R-2'-furyl)propenic acid.

Derivatives of 2-cyano-3-(2'-furyl)propenic acid with a markedly polarized double bond inhibit the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger at concentrations above 40 mumol/L. Their antibacterial activity (Escherichia coli B, Bacillus subtilis) is low. The biological effect increases with an increasing electron acceptor effect and decreasing hydrophobicity of the substituent on the furan ring. Substitution of methoxycarbony] group with cyano group in position 1 slightly increases the biological activity.