Antimicrobial Activity of Some Hydroxamic Acids

Several hydroxamic acids, viz., N-benzyl-N'-hydroxysuccinamide (BHS), poly[alpha,beta-(N-hydroxy)-DL-aspartamide] (PHA), poly[alpha,beta-(N-hydroxy-N-methyl-DL-aspartamide)] (PMHA) and poly[alpha,beta-(N-hydroxy)-DL- aspartamide]/poly[alpha,beta-(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide] (PHA-PHEA 1:1) were prepared and screened for their antimicrobial activity. Ten Gram-positive and 7 Gram-negative species of bacteria, 5 Candida species, 4 dermatophyte species and 3 mould species were used in tests. Compound showed no antimicrobial activity on any of the tested microorganisms. Other compounds showed a narrow spectrum of antibacterial activity, but no antifungal activity.