The invention relates to the use of, and methods of use employing, certain glycolipid compounds as defined in detail below and having preservative or antimicrobial properties, novel compounds of the glycolipid class, and related invention embodiments.
The compounds have the formula I wherein m is 3 to 5, n is 2 to 5, o is 0 or 1 and p is 3 to 17, with the proviso that the sum m+n+o+p is not less than 14; and R is a carbohydrate moiety bound via one of its carbon atoms to the binding oxygen, and/or a physiologically, especially pharmaceutically or nutraceutically or cosmetically, acceptable salt thereof, or an ester thereof, as such or in the form of a composition, where the compound may be present in open chain form and/or in the form of a lactone (FIG. 1).