ANTIBIOTICS OF ACTINOMYCETES 189 



Biological activity: Moderately active against S. aureus. 

 Toxicity: No data. 

 Utilization: None. 



Reference: Brockmann, H., Pini, H., and Plotho, O. V., Chem. Ber., 83, 

 1950, 161-167. 



Actinorubin 



Produced by: Streptomyces sp. 



Synonym: Closely related to streptothricin. 



Method of extraction: Adsorbed on Decalso, eluted with NaCl. Further 



purification by alumina chromatography. 

 Physical and chemical properties: Basic substance, thermostable, dialyzes 



through cellophane. Soluble in water and methanol. Insoluble in 



ether. Helianthate gives reddish orange needles. 

 Biological activity: Active against gram-positive, gram-negative, and acid- 

 fast bacteria. Some activity against fungi. Limited activity against 



B. cereus-mycoides and streptococci. 

 Toxicity: LDioo (mice), intraperitoneal, 68.5 mg/kg. 

 Utilization: None. 

 Reference: Kelner, A., and Morton, H. E., J. Bacterid., 53, 1947, 695-704; 



Morton, H. E., Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med., 64, 1947, 327-331; 



Junowicz-Kocholaty, R., and Kocholaty, W., J. Biol. Chem., 168, 1947, 



757. 



Actithiazic Acid 



Produced by: Streptomyces virginiae, S. lavendulae. 



Synonym: Mycobacidin. 



Method of extraction: Adsorption on Darco G60, elution with 95 per cent 

 ethanol, 5 per cent methanol, concentration in vacuo at pH 8.0. Ex- 

 traction from water concentrate at pH 3.0 with butanol; butanol 

 chromatographed on silica gel; elution carried out with butanol; eluate 

 concentrated and left in the refrigerator where crystallization oc- 

 curs. 



Chemical and physical properties: Acid, m.p. 139°-140°C; insoluble in water, 

 benzene, and chloroform; soluble in alkaline solution and in lower 

 alcohols. [a] 2 D 5 = —60.5° in absolute ethanol. No typical ultraviolet 

 absorption. Vitamin analogue of biotin. C9H15NO3S; 4,thiazolidone-2- 

 caproic acid. 



Biological activity: Active largely against mycobacteria (0.02-0.5 mcg/ml) ; 

 limited activity against other bacteria. Development of resistance 

 slow. 



Toxicity: LD (mice), intravenous and subcutaneous, 1.5 gm/kg. 



