Fermentation, Isolation and Characterization of Isonitrile Antibiotics

Abstract

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 showed the highest in vitro antimicrobial activities against gram-positive and negative bacteria and fungi.