Olive oil vegetation waters (VW) were highly toxic to both phytopathogenic Pseudomonas syringae (Smith, Yung et nl.) pv. savastanoi (Gram-negative) and Corynebacterium michiganense (Gram-positive) and showed bactericidal activity in their original concentration (in raw form). Among the main polyphenols, present in the waste waters, methylcatechol proved to be the most toxic to Ps. savastanoi at 10(-4) mol l(-1), and also demonstrated bactericidal activity, while on Coryne. michiganense it was only slightly active; catechol and hydroxytyrosol were less active on Ps. savastanoi, but inactive on Coryne. michiganense; tyrosol and its synthetic isomers 1,2- and 1,3-tyrosol were completely inactive on both bacteria. Among the derivatives of VW polyphenols considered, acetylcatechol and guaiacol were selectively toxic for Ps. savastanoi, while o-quinone was strongly toxic for both bacteria. The minor carboxylic polyphenols of VW at 10(-4) mol l(-1) were all inactive on the bacteria. VW, catechol, 4-methylcatechol and the less abundant carboxylic polyphenols proved to be toxic on Hep2 human cells. Finally the possibility of using the active polyphenols in agriculture in an integrated pest management program for the protection of the olive plant is discussed.
