Description of 



Antibiotics of Actinomycetes 



Abikoviromycin 



Produced by: Streptomyces rubescens and S. abikoensum. 



Method of extraction: Extraction of broth (pH 7.0) with ethyl acetate; 

 concentration in vacuo. Dilution of ethyl acetate concentrate with 

 petroleum ether and passage through a column of alumina. The elution 

 is carried out with a mixture of petroleum ether and ethyl acetate. 



Chemical and physical properties: Probably contains a carbohydrate residue, 

 but it is not a long molecule. Very labile, especially in presence of 

 oxygen. In aqueous solution the substance decomposes if kept 5 min- 

 utes at 100°C, and a red pigment is formed. The intensity of the 

 color is proportional to the antiviral activity of the preparation. 



Biological activity: Active in vitro against western and eastern equine en- 

 cephalomyelitis but not against Venezuela equine encephalomyelitis 

 and Japanese encephalitis virus. Very weak activity against bacteria 

 and fungi. 



Toxicity: LD 50 (mice), intravenous, 8.3 mg/kg; and subcutaneous, 83 

 mg/kg. 



Utilization: None. 



Reference: Umezawa, H., Tazaki, T., and Fukuyama, S., Japan. Med. J., 

 4, 1951, 331-346; J. Antibiotics (Japan), 5, 1952, 469^76. 



Actinomycelin 



Produced by: Culture related to Streptomyces antibioticus. 



Chemical and physical properties: Yellowish green pigment at neutral re- 

 action. Soluble in water, in ethanol with intense fluorescence, and 

 in methyl acetate; less soluble in acetone and chloroform. Most stable 

 at neutral reaction, less so at acid and alkaline pH. 



Biological activity: Active against gram-positive bacteria, not against myco- 

 bacteria or fungi. 



Toxicity: LD (rats), subcutaneous, 25 mg/kg. 



Reference: Cercos, A. P., Publ. Tech., Inst. Fitotecnia, Buenos Aires, 16, 

 1948, 147-156. 



Actinomycetin 



Produced by: Streptomyces albus. 



Method of extraction: Repeated precipitation from aqueous solutions with 



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