Abierixin, a new polyether antibiotic. Production, structural determination and biological activities

A new polyether antibiotic, abierixin, was found in the mycelium of a culture broth of nigericin-producing Streptomyces albus NRRL B-1865. Abierixin was extracted with organic solvents and purified by column chromatography and HPLC. The structure of abierixin was determined by FAB/MS/MS and CI/MS/MS and 1H and 13C NMR spectrometries. Abierixin exhibited weak antimicrobial and ionophorous activities, low toxicity but good anticoccidial activity. Nigericin biosynthesis from abierixin is discussed.