Antimicrobial Effects of 1-Monocaprylin and 1-Monocaproin Through in vitro Growth Inhibition and Molecular Docking Studies

1-monocaproin and 1-monocaprylin synthesized through a novel process by the chemical reaction of glycidol and their respective fatty acids with copper acetate as the catalyst possessed the amphiphilic property. 1- monoacyl glycerols synthesized were found to exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, anti parasitic and antiviral properties. 1-monocaproin and 1-monocaprylin were able to show their antibacterial effect by inhibiting the growth of the Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis at concentrations of 100–500 ppm. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of both 1-monoacyl glycerols were found to be 0.5 ppm. 1-monocaproin and 1-monocaprylin were able to show their antifungal effect by inhibiting the growth of the filamentous fungi Mucor racemosus and Rhizopus stolonifer at the concentration of 1000 ppm. Based on the molecular interaction and common binding interaction study, 1-monocaproin is expected to exhibit a similar antiviral activity as that of Oseltamivir to H₅N₁ influenza virus hemagglutinin. 1-monocaprylin and 1-monocaproin synthesized using copper acetate could exhibit a broad spectrum antimicrobial effect in combination with other monoacyl glycerols or with other antimicrobial agents.