Antimicrobial Activities of 2,6-Dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone and Its Structurally Related Analogues against Seven Food-borne Bacteria

Antimicrobial activities of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone and its structurally related analogues (2,6-dichloro-, 2,6-dimethyl-, 2,5-dichloro-, and 2,5-dimethyl-) were evaluated at 0.5 mg/disc against seven food-borne bacteria. 2,6-Dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus intermedius (22.0 mm), Staphlococcus epidermidis (19.5 mm), Shigella sonnei (16.0 mm), and Listeria monocytogenes (15.0 mm). Furthermore, these structural analogues exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested food-borne bacteria except 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone. In conclusion, 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone and its structural analogues are useful as a source of food supplemental agents.