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Production of cephalosporin C by Paecilomyces persicinus P-10
Abstract:
After the growth of Paecilomyces persicinus P-10 in a glucose-peptone medium, filtrates were collected and analyzed for antibiotic antivity. Activities against Salmonella gallinarum ATCC 3030 and Alcaligenes faecalis ATCC 8750 (penicillin N-resistant strain) were obtained. Part of the former activity was readily inactivated by penicillinase. The fraction active against A. faecalis was isolated by passage through Amberlite XAD-2 and Amberlite IRA-68. The powder eventually obtained was subjected to paper chromatography followed by bioautography, and the activity obtained corresponded to that of a sample of cephalosporin C. Thin-layer chromatography was also employed to verify the presence of cephalosporin C in the P-10 powder. The active solids were further purified by means of paper chromatography in a solvent system consisting of n-butanol-acetic acid-water (60:15:25, vol/vol). The material obtained from this procedure yielded an infrared absorption spectrum identical to that of cephalosporin C. Similarly, the ultraviolet absorption of the purified preparation coincided with that of cephalosporin C. Exposure of the purified solids to cephalosporinase resulted in rapid inactivation of the antibiotic. In addition to penicillin N and cephalosporin C, filtrates of P. persicinus P-10 also contained deacetylcephalosporin C, deacetoxycephalosporin C, and cephalosporin P.
Insights
The fungus Paecilomyces persicinus P-10 produces antibiotics, including cephalosporin C, which show activity against specific bacteria. These findings contribute to understanding microbial antibiotic production.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Paecilomyces persicinus P-10 is a fungus known for potential antibiotic production.
- Antibiotic resistance in bacteria necessitates the discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antibiotic activities present in the filtrates of Paecilomyces persicinus P-10.
- To identify and characterize the specific antibiotic compounds produced by the fungus.
Main Methods:
- Filtration of fungal culture medium and analysis of antibiotic activity.
- Chromatographic techniques (Amberlite XAD-2, Amberlite IRA-68, paper chromatography, thin-layer chromatography) for isolation and purification.
- Spectroscopic analysis (infrared, ultraviolet) and enzymatic assays (penicillinase, cephalosporinase) for compound identification.
Main Results:
- Filtrates exhibited antibiotic activity against Salmonella gallinarum and Alcaligenes faecalis.
- Cephalosporin C was identified as a major active component, confirmed by multiple chromatographic and spectroscopic methods.
- Other related compounds including penicillin N, deacetylcephalosporin C, deacetoxycephalosporin C, and cephalosporin P were also detected.
Conclusions:
- Paecilomyces persicinus P-10 is a source of cephalosporin C and other related beta-lactam antibiotics.
- The identified antibiotics demonstrate potential for further investigation in antimicrobial drug development.