Full Length Research Paper

Influence of gallic and tannic acids on enzymatic activity and growth of  Pectobacterium chrysanthemi (Dickeya chrysanthemi bv. chrysanthemi)

R. Zaidi –Yahiaoui*, F. Zaidi and A. Ait Bessai,

Université de Bejaia, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie 06000 Bejaia, Algérie.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: rachida_zaidi@yahoo.fr.

Accepted 14 January, 2008

The effect of phenolic acids (gallic and tannic acids) on growth of Pectobacterium chrysanhemi, and its protease and pectate lyase activities was tested. The results obtained showed a significant inhibiting effect of the tannic and gallic acids on the growth of this strain. The growth rate decreases in the presence of 400 μg/ml for gallic acid and 100 µg/ml fortannic acid. The enzymatic activity retardation was observed with the two phenolic compounds as well but the rate of inhibition varied from one compound to another. The highest antimicrobial potentials and the highest effect on enzymatic activities were observed with the tannic acid at 200 μg/ml, which inhibited 91% of the tested micro-organisms, and 88% of pectate lyase activity.

Key words: Tannic and gallic acids, Pectobacterium, pathogenicity.