Synthesis and Evaluation of Mannich Base Derivatives of Hexyl Ferulate as Antibacterial and Antioxidant Agents
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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a critical global health issue, particularly in developing countries where bacterial infections remain prevalent and treatment options are increasingly limited. The rising resistance of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli highlights the urgent need for new antibacterial agents with improved efficacy. In addition, oxidative stress contributes to cellular damage, making compounds with dual antioxidant and antibacterial properties highly valuable. This study aims to synthesize and evaluate Mannich base derivatives of hexyl ferulate as potential antibacterial and antioxidant agents. The research employed an experimental laboratory approach, including the synthesis of ferulic acid derivatives through esterification and Mannich reactions, followed by structural characterization using spectroscopic methods. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays, while antibacterial activity was evaluated through agar diffusion and dilution methods. The results showed that Mannich base derivatives exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant activity, with lower IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ values compared to ferulic acid and hexyl ferulate. In antibacterial testing, the derivatives demonstrated stronger inhibition against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with certain compounds showing superior activity. These findings indicate that structural modification through Mannich substitution effectively improves biological activity. In conclusion, Mannich base derivatives of hexyl ferulate have strong potential as lead compounds for developing new antibacterial and antioxidant agents to address AMR challenges.
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