Ramycin: A New Antibiotic

Abstract

SUMMARY: A strain of nlucor ramannianus from Campine forest soil was found to secrete an antibiotic, for which the name Ramycin is proposed. It is especially active against Gram-positive micro-organisms and Myobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, but sensitive organisms quickly acquire resistance to it. Although it is not very toxic, it possesses a necrotic action on tissues. Ramycin can protect mice against streptococcal and staphylococcal infections but not against H 37 Rv.Ramycin crystallizes in orthorhombic plates. The new antibiotic is an opticallyinactive unsaturated hydroxy acid, containing C, H and 0 only.