Antibacterial activity of two homologous series (m-alkoxyphenols and p-hydroxybenzoates) was studied in vitro by the respiration of Escherichia coli using flow microcalorimetry. Results for both series showed a linear relationship between log(dose) and the calorimetric response (CR). Analysis of the data allowed the identification of contributions for the derived bioactivity from the parent structures (the molecule minus n-CH2 groups present in the side-chain) and the lipophilic groups, CH2.
biological microcalorimetry; calorimetric response; homologous series
