196 THE ANTIBIOTICS 



Color change from orange-yellow to purple at pH 7.5-9.0. Ultraviolet 

 light absorption maxima at 215, 257 and 430 m/x. Proposed empirical 

 formula for hydrochloride C 2 6H 33 NOi2-HCl. 



Biological properties: Active against certain gram-positive bacteria, in- 

 active against gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Has a destructive 

 effect on the nuclei at the mitosis stage and destroys sarcomatous 

 cells when it is injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously in rats 

 inoculated with Yoshida sarcoma. 



Toxicity: MLD about 10 mg/kg. 



Utilization: Unknown. 



Reference: Umezawa, H., Takeuchi, T., Nitta, K., and Maeda, K., J. Anti- 

 biotics (Japan) A, 6, 1953, 45-51. 



Ascosin 



Produced by: Streptomyces canescus. 



Synonym: Similar to candicidin. 



Method of extraction: Ascosin can be extracted both from broth and from 

 mycelium by solvents. 



Chemical and physical properties: Crude solids yellow-brown to yellow- 

 orange. Poor solubility in petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ace- 

 tone, water, and ether; moderately soluble in methanol, ethanol, 

 n-butanol, and dioxane; very soluble in pyridine, quinoline, pyrole, 

 and piperidine. Inactivated by strong acids and bases. Maximum 

 stability at pH 5 to 7.5. At 60°C, aqueous solutions are inactivated in 

 24 hr; at 28°C, solutions become inactive in 1 week; concentrated 

 solutions more stable than dilute ones. Ultraviolet absorption in 

 methanol, maxima at: 234, 240, 282, 326, 340, 358, 376 and 399 mju; 

 minima at 261, 293, 345, 366 and 390 mju. Poor diffusibility in agar. 



Biological activity: No activity against bacteria and streptomycetes. Mainly 

 active against yeasts; also against certain filamentous fungi. Fungicidal 

 action against S. cerevisiae strong, but not so strong as that of candi- 

 cidin on C. albicans. 



Toxicity: LD 6 o (mice), oral, 500 mg/kg; subcutaneous, 168 mg/kg (severe 

 tissue erosion at site of injection); intraperitoneal, 8.6 mg/kg; intra- 

 venous, 12.5 mg/kg. 



Utilization: Unknown yet. 



Reference: Hickey, R. J., Corum, C. J., Hidy, P. H., Cohen, I. R., Nager, 

 U. F. B., and Krepp, E., Antibiotics & Chemotherapy, #, 1952, 472- 

 483. 



Borrelidin 



Produced by: Streptomyces rochei. 



Method of extraction: Extraction of cultures with butyl acetate at pH 7. 



