In this study aminodeoxyglucose derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against two food bacteria, Listeria innocua and Salmonella typhimurium . 6-Amino-6-deoxy-alpha-D-methylglucopyranose (GSA-6), 3-amino-3-deoxy-D-glucopyranoside (GSA-3), and beta-D-glucopyranosylamine (GSA-1) were synthesized and concurrently tested with commercially available D-glucosamine (GSA-2) for antibacterial activity. Results obtained from this study showed a pronounced antagonist effect due to the position of amino groups of aminoglucose derivatives on the antibacterial activity. GSA-3 was the most active compound. At a concentration of 2 x 10(-4) mol mL(-1), it delayed the growth of both bacteria with percentages of inhibition of 29 and 15% for L. innocua and S. typhimurium, respectively. At the same concentration the percentages of inhibition for other aminodeoxyglucoses varied between 5 and 18% and between 2 and 11% for L. innocua and S. typhimurium, respectively. All compounds were characterized by FTIR, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy.