308 



DESCRIPTIONS OF ANTIBIOTICS 



less active on yeasts. Not active on l)acteria (1). 

 More active at alkaline than acid pH. Somewhat 

 active topically against dermal Trichophyton 

 purpureum infections in guinea pigs (2). 



Toxicitij: Reputedly too toxic for systemic use 



(2). 

 Rejerences: 



1. Aiso, K. et al. J. Antibiotics (Japan) 5: 



217-219, 1952. 



2. Aiso, K. et al. J. Antibiotics (Japan) 5: 



488-491, 1952. 



3. Igarashi, S. et al. J. Antibiotics (Japan) 



9A: 226, 1956. 



Mycelin-IMO 



Produced hy: Streptomyces sp. resembling S. 

 diastatochromogenes. 



Method of extraction: Present in both the myce- 

 lium and culture -filtrate. Isolated by absorption 

 on alumina or activated charcoal, and elution 

 with organic solvents. 



Chernical and physical properties: Hexaene. 

 Yellow crystals. Decomposes at 214-222°C. Soluble 

 in acetone, alcohols, butyl acetate, and chloro- 

 form. Insoluble in water. Ultraviolet absorption 

 spectrum maxima (in methanol) at 243, 294 (320), 

 335, 355, and 373 m^. Infrared spectrum given in 

 reference 1. [cx]l = +70.0° ± 2.0° (c = 1 per cent 

 in 1,4-dioxane). Dark green color in concentrated 

 H2SO4 . Stable substance. Molecular weight, 345. 

 C = 71.29%; H = 5.96%; N = 11.31%. No S or 

 halogens. 



Biological activity: Active on fungi and yeasts 

 at 0.5 to 5.0 Mg per ml. 



Toxicity: LD50 (mice) 1.5 mg per kg intraperi- 

 toneally. 



Reference: 1. Ogata, K. et al. Japanese Patent 

 5,898, 1957. 



Mycetin 



Produced by: Streptomyces violaceus. 



Method of extraction: Extraction of dried, pul- 

 verized agar culture with a mixture of equal parts 

 of ethanol and ethylene dichloride (the latter can 

 be replaced by chloroform or benzene). Solvent 

 evaporated and substance dissolved in ethanol. 



Chemical and physical properties: Intensely 

 violet in color, although uncertain whether active 

 substance is also colored. Thermostable. 



Bwlogiccd activity: Active against gram-positive 

 bacteria, incluchng micrococci and streptococci, 

 corynebacteria, and spore -formers; also active 

 against mycobacteria. Proteins and pus depress 

 activity. Very limited, if any, activity in vivo. 



\ References: 



1. Krassilnikov, N. A. and Koreniako, A. I. 



Mikrobiologiya 8: 673, 1939; 14: 80-85, 

 1945. 



2. Fainshmidt, O. I. and Koreniako, A. I. 



Biokhimiya 9: 147-153, 1944. 



Mycolutein 



Produced hy: Streptomyces sp. 



Method of extraction: Extraction of the myce- 

 lium with methanol, concentration of the extract 

 in vacuo to one tenth its original volume. On 

 standing at 4°C a precipitate forms, which is ex- 

 haustively extracted with warm chloroform. Aftei 

 concentration of the chloroform-extract, addition 

 of petroleum ether results in the formation of a 

 light yellow precipitate. This precipitate is then 

 dissolved in a minimal amount of boiling metha- 

 nol. On cooling, crystals are formed. Recrystalliza- 

 tion from methanol and benzene. 



Chemical and physical properties: Bright yellow 

 tabvdar crystals; m.p. 157-158°C. Absorption of 

 light at 254 ni/x (£;1L 680) and at 345 m^ {E^L 400) 

 in methanolic solution, [aif = -|-54° (c = 1 per cent 

 in chloroform). Countercurrent distribution (39 

 transfers) shows the substance to be homogeneous. 

 Soluble in chloroform, acetone, lower alcohols, 

 benzene, choxane, pyridine, and glacial acetic 

 acid. Soluble to a limited extent in ethyl acetate, 

 carl)on tetrachloride, diethyl ether, and petroleum 

 ether. Insoluble in water at all pH values. Decom- 

 posed by aqueous sodium hydroxide; dissolves in 

 concentrated sulfuric acid, giving an olive color 

 which turns rapidly to dark red. Stable in boiling 

 methanol for at least 10 minutes in the pH range 

 of 5.1 to 8.2, but rapid decomposition occurs at 

 higher and lower pH values. Decolorizes a solu- 

 tion of potassium permanganate in acetone and a 

 solution of bromine in methanol in the cold. Posi- 

 tive test for aromatic nucleus with anhydrous 

 aluminum chloride and chloroform. FeCl.-s test 

 negative. Infrared spectrum given in original 

 paper (1). C = 66.45%; H = 5.95%; N = 3.51%. 

 Freezing-point depression indicates a molecidar 

 weight of 417 in benzene and 495 in 1,4-dioxane. 

 Tentative empirical formula: C2iH-24N06 . 



Biological activity: Mycolutein inhibits the 

 growth of Candida species, ('ryptococcus neo- 

 formans, Trichophyton species, and Microsporum 

 gypseuni at the level of 0.2 to 12.5 Mg per ml after 

 48 hours of incubation at 28°C on a medium con- 

 taining no sugar. The fungi gradually grow at 

 higher concentrations of the antibiotic upon pro- 

 longed incubation. The addition of sugars to the 



