Abstract
Antibacterial activity of alkyl gallates and their analogs against Ralstonia solanacearum was examined. Methyl gallate showed the strongest activity among the alkyl gallates; activity decreased as the carbon number of esters increased. This tendency of alkyl gallates to act against R. solanacearum was dissimilar to its previously reported action against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Among related compounds with a differing position and number of phenolic hydroxyl groups, methyl 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate showed comparable or slightly stronger activity than methyl gallate. Geraniin, one of the characteristic secondary metabolites produced by Geranium spp., showed moderate activity.
