Thermal, photosynthesis and antibacterial studies of bioactive safrole derivative as precursor for natural flavor and fragrance

Safrole [5-allylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxole] was subjected to photochemical oxidation reaction with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium lamp to give the corresponding epoxy derivative [5-oxiranylmethylbenzo[1,3]dioxole. The thermal oxidation of safrole with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid at room temperature gave the same epoxide derivative in quantitative yield. Antibacterial studies were carried out on safrole and its photoproducts (safrole epoxide and safrole hydroperoxide). The results revealed that safrole hydroperoxide was the most effective than safrole epoxide than safrole against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, and Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC25422. This result proved that safrole derivatives are beneficial to human health, having the potential to be used for medical purposes.