A number of soil isolates belonging to the genus Trichoderma were found to produce isonitrins A, B, C and D and isonitrinic acids E and F, a new class of antibiotics characterized by the presence of isonitrile groups. Taxonomy of the producing organisms, fermentation, isolation and physicochemical and biological properties of isonitrins and isonitrinic acids are reported. Isonitrin A showedthe highest in vitro antimicrobial activities against gram-positive and negative bacteria and fungi. During the course of screening for new antibiotics, we found Trichoderma species capable of producing antibiotic complexes, designated as isonitrins A, B, C and D, and isonitrinic acids E and F, characterized by the presence of an isonitrile group. This report deals with the taxonomyof these species, fermentation studies, isolation and physicochemical and biological properties of isonitrins and isonitrinic acids. The results of structural studies on these antibiotics will be reported elsewhere.
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