Studies on Cephalothecium as a means of the artificial immunization of the agricultural crops (III)

On Cephalothecin produced by a Cephalothecium sp. with antagonistic activity to the pathogenic fungi

Abstract

(1) The antifungal substance produced by a Cephalothecium sp. has been isolated in crystalline form and the name “Cephalothecin” is proposed for it.
(2) The best yields of the Cephalothecin have been obtained by culturing the Cephalothecium fungus in a modified RICHARDS medium (KNO₃ 5g, MgSO₄ 1.25g, KH₂PO₄ 2.5g and Sucrose 25g in distilled water 1l, and added with corn steep liquor 5 cc. pH is adjusted to 5.5.
(3) Cephalothecin contains neither halogens, sulphur, nitrogen nor phosphor. It is readily soluble in alchhol, acetone ether and chloroform, but only slightly soluble in water. Aqueous solutions of Cephalothecin tolerated against heating one hour at 100°C. without any loss of activity.