A WIDE-SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTIC PRODUCED BY A SPECIES OF SORANGIUM

Abstract

A soil-borne myxobacter identified as a species of Sorangium produced a potent antibiotic capable of inhibiting growth of a wide variety of microorganisms including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and yeasts. The active material was readily isolated from culture fluids of the organism by ether extraction or by adsorption on a resin. A high degree of purity was achieved chromatographically. Acetone, methanol, or aqueous solutions of the antibiotic were stable when stored at low temperature (4 °C). At 70 °C it was unstable in phosphate buffer but retained its activity in iris buffer at neutral and alkaline pH.