Para obter novos compostos com atividade antibacteriana, foram preparados os derivados 2,4-diidróxi-6-metilbenzoatos (orselinatos) e o ácido 2,4-diidróxi-6-metilbenzóico (ácido orselínico) através de reações de alcoólise do ácido lecanórico. Todas as substâncias foram testadas contra bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas pelo método da microdiluição. Staphylococcus aureus, Xanthomonas campestris var. vesicatoria and Ralstonia solanacearum foram mais sensíveis ao 2,4-diidróxi-6-metilbenzoato de n-propila, 2,4-diidróxi-6-metilbenzoato de n-pentila e 2,4-diidróxi-6-metilbenzoato de n-hexila com valores de CIM (Concentração Inibitória Mínima) variando de 62,5 a 7,8 µg.mL¹. Esses resultados mostraram que a homologação da cadeia carbônica pode conduzir a compostos mais ativos.

In order to obtain new compounds with antibacterial activity, the derivatives 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid (orsellinic acid) and 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoates (orsellinates) were obtained through alcoholyses of lecanoric acid. All these substances were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by a microdilution method. Staphylococcus aureus, Xanthomonas campestris var. vesicatoria and Ralstonia solanacearum were most sensitive to n-propyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoate, n-pentyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoate and n-hexyl 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoate with MIC (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) values ranging from 62.5 to 7.8 µg×mL¹. These results showed that homologation in carbon chain may lead to compounds with more pronunced activities.

With the aim of obtaining new compounds with potential antifungal activity, lecanoric acid, a chemical constituent of the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum and its derivatives prepared from structural modification were tested against the fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum, by employing the bioautographic method. Activity of the derivatives ranged from 10- to 1-μg concentrations. Results demonstrated this series of compounds to have potent fungitoxic activity.