MICROBIAL TRANSFORMATION OF ANTIBIOTICS. III

CONVERSION OF CLINDAMYCIN TO 1'-DEMETHYLCLINDAMYCIN AND CLINDAMYCIN SULFOXIDE BY STREPTOMYCES SPECIES

Abstract

1'-Demethylclindamycin was produced by N-demethylation when clindamycin was added to fermentations of Streptomyces punipalus. In contrast, addition of clindamycin to fermentations of Streptomyces armentosus resulted primarily in the production of clindamycin sulfoxide. Several other species of streptomycetes as well as several species of fungi were also found to convert clindamycin to either 1'-demethylclindamycin, clindamycin sulfoxide, or a mixture of both compounds.