ISOLATION OF A NEW POLYETHER ANTIBIOTIC, LONOMYCIN

Abstract

A new polyether antibiotic, lonomycin, was isolated from the culture of Streptomyces ribosidificus strain TM-481. The antibiotic obtained as a sodium salt is a colorless prism having a molecular formula of C₄₄H₇₅O₁₄Na (M.W. 850), m.p. 188-189°C, and has no absorption maxima in the ultraviolet region. The infrared and NMR spectra of the antibiotic suggest the presence of a carboxyl and four methoxyl groups. Lonomycin shows antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria.