Analogues of the fungal macrocidin Z, derived from different amino acids: Syntheses and antibiofilm activity

Three new analogues of the fungal metabolite macrocidin Z, derived from homoserine, o-tyrosine and 5-hydroxytryptophan, rather than l-tyrosine were synthesised and tested for efficacy against selected pathogenic biofilms. They exhibited significant growth inhibitory and dispersal effects against S. aureus biofilms, comparable to those of the natural lead macrocidin Z, and even superior to those of non-natural normacrocidin Z, which they resemble more closely. Their low level of toxicity to human cells and bacteria warrants a more detailed assessment. [Display omitted]