Accelerated development of agricultural production significantly contributes to environmental pollution. Utilization of agricultural by-products, such as crop residues, combined with less energy-intensive processes and environmentally friendly solvents, are the foundation of sustainable development. Numerous plants are a source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity. The use of "green solvents" from the group of esters, such as dimethyl-carbonate and ethyl-acetate, for the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants has been in practice for many years. Given that previous research has examined the antimicrobial activity of extraction products, it is necessary to examine the antimicrobial effect of the solvents themselves on different groups of microorganisms. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the antimicrobial effect of these solvents on three useful indigenous isolates of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented foods as well as on seven potentially pathogenic bacterial species and food spoilage agents. Solvent concentrations in the range of 1.56-100% were tested and minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (MBK) concentrations of two different biomass (103 and 106 CFU / mL) were determined. Furthermore, the influence of low solvent concentrations (below MIK and MBK values) on the number of tested isolates was examined. It has been established that both solvents have an inhibitory effect on both beneficial and potentially pathogenic bacteria, and therefore their use in the form of food additives is not recommended, but represent potential in use as solvents for extraction of bioactive compounds in terms of synergistic antimicrobial activity with extracted bioactive compounds.